The bHLH Transcription Factor PhbHLH121 Regulates Response to Iron Deficiency in <i>Petunia hybrida</i>.

ABSTRACT: Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants. Due to the low Fe bioavailability in cultivated soils, Fe deficiency is a widespread agricultural problem. In this study, we present the functional characterization of a petunia (Petunia hybrida) basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor PhbHLH121 in response to Fe shortage. Real-time PCR revealed that the expression of PhbHLH121 in petunia roots and shoots was downregulated under Fe-limited conditions. CRISPR/Cas9-edited phbhlh121 mutant plants were generated to investigate the functions of PhbHLH121 in petunia. Loss-of-function of PhbHLH121 enhanced petunia tolerance to Fe deficiency. Further investigations revealed that the expression level of several structural genes involved in Fe uptake in petunia, such as

SUBMITTER: Pan L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11644503 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature