Cold stress in maize (Zea mays) is alleviated by the over-expression of Phytoglobin 1 (ZmPgb1.1)

Maize (Zea mays) plants over-expressing or suppressing the class 1 Phytoglobin (ZmPgb1.1) were evaluated for their ability to cope with low temperature stress. Cold treatment (10 degrees C day/4 degrees C night) depressed several gas exchange parameters including photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration, while elevated the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-induced damage. These effects were attenuated by the overexpression of ZmPgb1.1, and aggravated when the level of the same gene was suppressed. Combination of transcriptomic and pharmacological studies revealed that over-expression of ZmPgb1.1 suppressed the level of nitric oxide (NO), which lowers the transcription of several Brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthetic and response genes. Cellular BR was required to induce the expression of ZmMPK5, a component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, which is known to be involved in the regulation of ROS-producing pathways. Experimental reduction of NO content, suppression of BR or inhibition of ZmMPK5 reverted the beneficial effects of ZmPgb1.1 over-expression, and increased plant susceptibility to cold stress through accumulation of ROS. Conversely, tolerance to cold was augmented in the ZmPgb1.1 down-regulating line when the levels of NO or BR were elevated. Together, this study demonstrates a novel role of ZmPgb1.1 in modulating plant performance to cold stress, and integrates the ZmPgb1.1 response in a model requiring NO and BR to alleviate oxidative stress through ZmMPK5.