Role of dehydrin-FK506-binding protein complex in enhancing drought tolerance through the ABA-mediated signaling pathway

Dehydrins (DHNs) have been reported to act as chaperones to combat drought stress. While in this study, we explored a novel nuclear complex of Oryza sativa FKBP and YSK2-type dehydrin (OsDhn-Rab16D), associated with ABA signaling to impart drought stress tolerance. The transcript levels of OsDhn-Rab16D in rice seedlings were induced in response to drought, abscisic acid (ABA) and H₂O₂ exposure. Ectopic expression of OsDhn-Rab16D transgenic lines showed enhanced tolerance to both osmotic stresses caused by PEG and drought. Using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay, O. sativa FKBP (a prolyl cis-trans isomerase) was identified as an interacting partner of OsDhn-Rab16D. Fluorescence signals between OsDhn-Rab16D and OsFKBP were observed in the nucleus. The pull-down assay confirmed the physical interaction between OsDhn-Rab16D and OsFKBP. qRT-PCR of drought and ABA-responsive gene reveals the higher transcript abundance in PEG-treated transgenic lines. Moreover, under drought conditions, transgenic lines maintain membrane integrity and increase the lignification in adventitious rice roots due to the higher expression level of catalase and lignin biosynthesis enzyme, respectively, as compared with wild-type. Overall, our findings suggest that OsDhn-Rab16D and OsFKBP complex involved in ABA-responsive drought stress signaling in rice and probably act as a positive transcriptional co-regulator, in addition, to act as chaperones.