StEPF2 and StEPFL9 Play Opposing Roles in Regulating Stomatal Development and Drought Tolerance in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.).

ABSTRACT: Stomata are essential for photosynthesis and water-use efficiency in plants. When expressed in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants, the potato (Solanum tuberosum) proteins EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR 2 (StEPF2) and StEPF-LIKE9 (StEPFL9) play antagonistic roles in regulating stomatal density. Little is known, however, about how these proteins regulate stomatal development, growth, and response to water deficit in potato. Transgenic potato plants overexpressing StEPF2 (E2 plants) or StEPFL9 (ST plants) were generated, and RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to select two lines overexpressing each gene. E2 plants showed reduced stomatal density, whereas ST plants produced excessive stomata. Under well-watered conditions, ST plants displayed vigorous growt

SUBMITTER: Kang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11476617 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature