The transcription factor ClWRKY61 interacts with ClLEA55 to enhance salt tolerance in watermelon.

ABSTRACT: High salinity can severely inhibit the growth and development of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.). WRKY proteins are believed to mediate the adaptation of plants to abiotic stresses. Here, we identified the ClWRKY61 gene, which positively regulates the tolerance of watermelon to salt stress. Knockout of the ClWRKY61 reduced salt tolerance, while overexpression of the ClWRKY61 enhanced salt tolerance in watermelon according to phenotypic and physiological analyses. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that ClWRKY61 interacts with the ClLEA55 protein, and this interaction was further confirmed by luciferase complementation imaging, transient bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and GST pull-down assays. Knockout of the ClLEA55 resulted in lower salt toler

SUBMITTER: Lan G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11879168 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature