SiCST1, a novel plant-specific protein of foxtail millet, confers cold stress tolerance in plants.

ABSTRACT: Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is a significant cereal crop, but its yield is limited by extreme temperature, particularly cold stress. In this study, we identified a novel plant-specific gene, SiCST1 (Cold Stress Tolerance in Setaria italica 1) in foxtail millet, through transcriptome deep sequencing (RNA-Seq) of cold-stressed seedlings. We generated a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout mutant of rice homolog of SiCST1 (designated oscst1). Compared to wild-type rice, oscst1 mutant seedlings exhibited cold sensitivity with a 46% survival rate reduction under cold stress. This impaired cold stress tolerance was rescued by complementation with SiCST1, indicating the vital role of SiCST1 in cold stress tolerance. SiCST1 consists of a

SUBMITTER: Yang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12361253 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature