Maize Rabl7 overexpression in <i>Arabidopsis</i> plants promotes osmotic stress tolerance

Abstract

Summary Rabl7 is a Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) protein from maize, which accumulates largely during embryogenesis and also in vegetative tissues when subjected to stress conditions. We have analysed the effect of Rab 17 expression under a constitutive promoter in vegetative tissues of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants. These transgenic plants have higher sugar and proline contents, and also higher water loss rate under water stress. In addition, these plants are more tolerant than non‐transformed controls to high salinity and recover faster from mannitol treatment. Our results point to a protective effect of Rabl7 protein in vegetative tissues under osmotic stress conditions.