biostudies-literatureMano NANational Institute of Food and Agriculturee594https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11117050biostudies-literatureUnknown8(5)The transcription factor GT2-LIKE 1 (GTL1) has been implicated in orchestrating a transcriptional network of diverse physiological, biochemical, and developmental processes. In response to water-limiting conditions, GTL1 is a negative regulator of stomatal development, but its potential rolein other water-deficit responses is unknown. We hypothesized that GTL1 regulates transcriptome changes associated with drought tolerance over leaf developmental stages. To test the hypothesis, gene expression was profiled by RNA-seq analysis in emerging and expanding leaves of wild-type and a drought-tolerant <i>gtl1-4</i> knockout mutant under well-watered and water-deficit conditions. Our comparative analysis of genotype-treatment combinations within leaf developmental age identified 459 and 1073 diffPlant directTranscriptional repression of <i>GTL1</i> under water-deficit stress promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis to enhance drought tolerance.PMC111170501778451013618Mickelbart MVWidhalm JRYoo CYMano NAShaikh MAfalseTranscriptional repression of <i>GTL1</i> under water-deficit stress promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis to enhance drought tolerance.The transcription factor GT2-LIKE 1 (GTL1) has been implicated in orchestrating a transcriptional network of diverse physiological, biochemical, and developmental processes. In response to water-limiting conditions, GTL1 is a negative regulator of stomatal development, but its potential rolein other water-deficit responses is unknown. We hypothesized that GTL1 regulates transcriptome changes associated with drought tolerance over leaf developmental stages. To test the hypothesis, gene expression was profiled by RNA-seq analysis in emerging and expanding leaves of wild-type and a drought-tolerant <i>gtl1-4</i> knockout mutant under well-watered and water-deficit conditions. Our comparative analysis of genotype-treatment combinations within leaf developmental age identified 459 and 1073 diff2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 May2026-03-27T16:37:20.695Z2025-08-27T03:10:29.942ZS-EPMC111170503879941710.1002/pld3.594