Molecular Insights into the Role of PcHSP20s in Mediating Thermotolerance in Polygonatum cyrtonema

TL;DR

This study identifies three heat shock proteins in Polygonatum cyrtonema that help the plant survive high temperatures by reducing stress and improving survival.

Contribution

The study reveals the role of three specific HSP20 genes in enhancing thermotolerance in Polygonatum cyrtonema through experimental and bioinformatics approaches.

Findings

All three HSP20 genes are upregulated in response to heat stress.

Transgenic Arabidopsis plants showed improved germination and stress survival when overexpressing these genes.

Overexpression reduced reactive oxygen species and increased antioxidant enzyme activity under heat stress.

Abstract

Small heat shock proteins (HSP20s) are known to function as molecular chaperones that bind to denatured proteins under high-temperature stress and assist in their conformational recovery, thereby contributing to plant thermotolerance. In the present study, three HSP20 genes—PcHSP12.8, PcHSP12.9, and PcHSP13.4—were identified in the transcriptome of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua. Bioinformatics analysis indicated their phylogenetic relationships, conserved domains, and potential tertiary structures. RT-qPCR analysis revealed up-regulation of all three genes in response to heat stress. Subcellular localization studies further suggested that PcHSP12.8, PcHSP12.9, and PcHSP13.4 are predominantly localized in the nucleus. Heterologous expression of these genes in a heat-sensitive yeast mutant appeared to improve cell survival under heat stress relative to the control strain. In Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing these genes, moderate improvements in germination rate, root elongation, and stress survival were observed compared to wild-type plants under heat stress. Transgenic lines also showed a tendency toward reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation, as reflected by decreased 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) staining, together with increased activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), as well as higher chlorophyll retention under thermal stress. Taken together, these findings imply that the three PcHSP20 genes could be involved in thermotolerance in P. cyrtonema.

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