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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2026, Vol. 25 Issue (1): 127-137    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.09.019
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MdXTH30, an apple gene encoding endotransferase/hydrolase for xyloglucan, enhances plant resistance to drought, salt and pathogenic stresses

Shou Ma, Tong Li, Ziquan Feng, Yali Zhang, Han Jiang#, Yuanyuan Li#

National Apple Engineering Technology Research Center/Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center of Fruit & Vegetable Quality and Efficient Production, College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China


 Highlights 
The apple MdXTH30 could enhance the resistance to drought, salt, and pathogenic bacteria in plants.   
The function of MdXTH30 depends partially on the lignin synthesis mediated by xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase.
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摘要  

木葡聚糖是高等植物细胞壁中半纤维素的主要成分,可以为细胞壁提供机械支撑。 XTH基因家族编码木葡聚糖内转移酶/水解酶,是植物细胞壁重塑的关键酶。 植物在不同条件下会改变XTH的活性,从而控制细胞壁的组成和功能,帮助植物适应逆境环境。 然而,目前对苹果XTH家族相关基因的研究较少。 本文从苹果(Malus × domestica)中获得了MdXTH30基因,发现该基因可以响应ABA、NaCl,PEG 6000的处理,同时,我们通过亚细胞定位技术发现该基因定位在胞质上。为进一步探究MdXTH30在应对外界胁迫发挥的作用,我们通过农杆菌侵染技术获得了MdXTH30的转基因苹果愈伤,以及异位表达的拟南芥,发现该基因通过调控苹果愈伤组织和拟南芥中相关基因的表达,增强了植物对干旱、盐胁迫和病原菌的抗性。 我们的发现为植物细胞壁水平的抗逆性和苹果抗生物和非生物胁迫的候选基因提供了新的见解。



Abstract  

Xyloglucan represents the primary hemicellulose component in higher plant cell walls, providing mechanical support.  The XTH gene family encodes xyloglucan endotransferase/hydrolase, a crucial enzyme in cell wall remodeling.  Studies examining XTH family-related genes in apples remain limited.  This study investigated the MdXTH30 gene, isolated from apple (Malus×domestica), which demonstrated responsiveness to abscisic acid, NaCl, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000, with cytoplasmic localization confirmed through subcellular mapping.  To elucidate the role of MdXTH30 in stress response, transgenic MdXTH30 apple calli were generated and the gene was heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.  The findings revealed that MdXTH30 enhanced resistance to drought, salt stress, and pathogens through regulation of relevant genes in both apple calli and Arabidopsis.  These results identify potentially significant candidate genes for improving biotic and abiotic stress resistance at the cell wall level.

Keywords:  apple       MdXTH30       abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity       stress resistance  
Received: 08 December 2024   Accepted: 17 June 2025 Online: 22 September 2025  
Fund: This research was supported by the National Key R&D Plan Project (2023YFD2301000), the National Key Research and Development Program of Shandong Province, China (2024CXGC010903 2023CXPT013), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32472705, 32302513), the Young Talent of Lifting Engineering for Science and Technology in Shandong, China (SDAST2024QTA083) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (ZR2022JQ14, ZR2022QC112).
About author:  Shuo Ma, E-mail: 15554079103@163.com; #Correspondence Yuanyuan Li, E-mail: liyy0912@163.com; Han Jiang, E-mail: jh12307@163.com

Cite this article: 

Shou Ma, Tong Li, Ziquan Feng, Yali Zhang, Han Jiang, Yuanyuan Li. 2026. MdXTH30, an apple gene encoding endotransferase/hydrolase for xyloglucan, enhances plant resistance to drought, salt and pathogenic stresses. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 25(1): 127-137.

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