biostudies-literatureZhao JJSichuan Province Science and Technology Support ProgramNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaSichuan Provincial Science and Technology Support Program1428-1445https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12946459biostudies-literatureUnknown24(3)The plant cuticle, composed of cutin and wax, is crucial for reducing non-stomatal water loss and enhancing drought tolerance. CYP86A genes are key regulators of cutin and wax biosynthesis, yet the mechanisms controlling their expression remain unclear. Here, we identified PtrC2H2.2-6, a C2H2-type transcription factor that is downregulated at both transcriptional and protein levels under water stress in poplar. Through bioinformatics and biochemical analyses, we demonstrated that PtrC2H2.2-6 interacts with PtrPPK1 to regulate drought tolerance by modulating two critical cuticle biosynthesis genes, PtrCYP86A7 and PtrCYP86A8. PtrC2H2.2-6 negatively regulates cutin and wax biosynthesis by binding to the CACT motif in the promoters of PtrCYP86A7 and PtrCYP86A8, thereby suppressing their expresPlant biotechnology journalThe PtrC2H2.2-6-PtrCYP86A7/A8 Module Regulates Poplar Drought Tolerance Through Mediating Cutin and Wax Biosynthesis Pathways.PMC1294645932101481324718202024YFNH0028Yang HDeng SLLi HHe FLi JHuang JWan XQChen LHZhao JJZhang YWang TYang PXiang XWang RQWei SYfalseThe PtrC2H2.2-6-PtrCYP86A7/A8 Module Regulates Poplar Drought Tolerance Through Mediating Cutin and Wax Biosynthesis Pathways.The plant cuticle, composed of cutin and wax, is crucial for reducing non-stomatal water loss and enhancing drought tolerance. CYP86A genes are key regulators of cutin and wax biosynthesis, yet the mechanisms controlling their expression remain unclear. Here, we identified PtrC2H2.2-6, a C2H2-type transcription factor that is downregulated at both transcriptional and protein levels under water stress in poplar. Through bioinformatics and biochemical analyses, we demonstrated that PtrC2H2.2-6 interacts with PtrPPK1 to regulate drought tolerance by modulating two critical cuticle biosynthesis genes, PtrCYP86A7 and PtrCYP86A8. PtrC2H2.2-6 negatively regulates cutin and wax biosynthesis by binding to the CACT motif in the promoters of PtrCYP86A7 and PtrCYP86A8, thereby suppressing their expres2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Mar2026-07-16T22:27:05.313Z2026-07-11T03:12:17.389ZS-EPMC129464594113346110.1111/pbi.70419