The sunflower TLDc-containing protein HaOXR2 confers tolerance to oxidative stress and waterlogging when expressed in maize plants

Abstract

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genome encodes six proteins containing a TLDc domain, typical of the eukaryotic OXidation Resistance (OXR) protein family. Expression of sunflower HaOXR2 in Arabidopsis generated plants with increased rosette diameter, higher number of leaves and increased seed production. Maize inbred lines expressing HaOXR2 also showed increased total leaf area per plant. In addition, heterologous expression of HaOXR2 induced an increase in the oxidative stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and maize. Maize transgenic plants expressing HaOXR2 experienced less oxidative damage and exhibited increased photosynthetic performance and efficiency than non-transgenic segregant plants after treatment of leaves with the reactive oxygen species generating compound Paraquat. Expression of HaOXR2 in maize also improved tolerance to waterlogging. The number of expanded leaves, aerial biomass, and stem height and cross-section area were less affected by waterlogging in HaOXR2 expressing plants, which also displayed less aerial tissue damage under these conditions. Transgenic plants also showed an increased production of roots, a typical adaptive stress response. The results show the existence of functional conservation of OXR proteins in dicot and monocot plants and indicate that HaOXR2 could be useful to improve plant performance under conditions that increase oxidative stress.