Over-expression of the ICE1 gene in transgenic rice improves cold tolerance

Abstract

Cold stress significantly challenges agricultural productivity, particularly in regions susceptible to low temperatures. In response to this challenge, the current study investigates the effects of over-expressing the ICE1 gene in rice plants on cold tolerance. Through constructing the pCAMBIA3301-ICE1 vector, transgenic rice lines with increased ICE1 expression were generated and investigated for their response to chilling stress. Upon subjecting the transgenic rice plants to chilling stress conditions, notable improvements were observed compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Specifically, the transgenic lines exhibited a substantial 62% reduction in visual damage severity, highlighting their enhanced resilience to cold-induced damage. Additionally, the transgenic lines showed a significant 30% increase in proline concentrations, indicative of enhanced stress tolerance mechanisms. Further analyses revealed a 50% reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a 38% increase in peroxidase (POX) activity in the transgenic rice plants compared to the WT plants. These findings suggest improved antioxidant defense mechanisms and reduced oxidative damage, contributing to the overall cold stress tolerance of the transgenic lines. Interestingly, differential expression patterns of the ICE1 gene were observed between the leaves and roots of the transgenic plants under cold stress. Roots consistently exhibited higher levels of ICE1 expression, highlighting potential organ-specific responses to cold stress. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that over-expression of the ICE1 gene significantly enhances cold stress tolerance in rice plants; offering promising avenues for developing stress-resistant crop varieties that can better withstand the adverse effects of chilling stress on agricultural production.