Inhibition of Gene Expression of Trehalase Enhances Drought Resistance in Transgenic Tobacco

The representative individuals, CK (non-transgenic), 121 (with pBI121 vector), 1285 (with pGSA1285 vector), T4 (with gene of trehalase, TRE), S1 (with gene of trehalose -6 - phosphate synthase, TPS), P3 (with gene of trehalose -6 - phosphate phosphatase, TPP), a3 (with anti-TRE gene), i2 (with RNAi-TRE gene), were selected for identification of drought resistance, and the Malondialdehyde (MDA), relative conductivity have been measured after water-stress during this experiment. The results showed that the transgenic tobaccos with anti-TRE and RNAi-TRE grew better than other individuals under water-stress conditions; conductivity of i2 was lower than other plants. Meantime, i2 has performance of some special features. These indicate that through application the antisense RNA and RNA interference technology to trehalase gene, it is possible to make the receptor trehalose metabolism changes. The inhibition of gene expression of trehalase can led to the accumulation of trehalose content and the enhancement of drought resistance in the transgenic tobaccos.