The Arabidopsis thaliana integrin-like gene AT14A improves drought tolerance in Solanum lycopersicum

Using effective genes to improve crop stress tolerance through genetic engineering is an important way to stabilize crop yield and quality across complex climatic environments. Integrin-like AT14A, as a continuum of the cell wall–plasma membrane–cytoskeleton, functions in the regulation of cell wall synthesis, signal transduction, and the response to stress. In this study, AT14A was overexpressed in Solanum lycopersicum L. In transgenic plants, both chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate increased. Physiological experiments suggested that the proline content and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase) activities of the transgenic line were significantly higher than those of wild-type plants under stress, which contributed to the enhanced water retention capacity and free radical scavenging ability of the transgenic line. Transcriptome analysis revealed that AT14A enhanced drought tolerance by regulating waxy cuticle synthesis genes, such as 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase 20 (KCS20), non-specific lipid-transfer protein 2 (LTP2), antioxidant enzyme system genes peroxidase 42-like (PER42), and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR2). AT14A regulates expression of Protein phosphatase 2 C 51 (PP2C 51) and ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) to participate in ABA pathways to enhance drought tolerance. In conclusion, AT14A effectively improved photosynthesis and enhanced drought tolerance in S. lycopersicum.