Stress-induced expression of the sweetpotato gene IbLEA14 in poplar confers enhanced tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are small, highly hydrophilic proteins that act as protectors of macromolecules and increase abiotic stress tolerance in plants. We previously reported that overexpressing sweetpotato IbLEA14 under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter increased osmotic and salt stress tolerance in transgenic sweetpotato calli. In this study, we generated transgenic poplar plants (Populus alba × P. glandulosa) expressing IbLEA14 under the control of the oxidative stress-inducible SWPA2 promoter (referred to as SL plants). Among the 15 SL plants obtained, three lines (SL2, SL7, and SL12) were established based on IbLEA14 transcript levels, tolerance to salt stress and Southern blot analysis. The SL plants exhibited less damage in response to methyl viologen-mediated oxidative stress than non-transgenic (NT) plants. SL plants also showed enhanced tolerance to drought, salt, and heat stress, which was associated with higher photosystem II efficiency and lower malondialdehyde levels compared with NT plants. Furthermore, SL plants had higher levels of monolignol biosynthesis-related gene transcripts under drought stress compared with NT plants. Finally, SL plants exhibited increased tolerance to heat stress, which is associated with the high thermostability of IbLEA14 protein. SL plants might be useful for reforestation on global marginal lands, including desertification and reclaimed areas.