The HaMYB22–HaGST3.2 module mediates salt stress response in sunflower

doi:10.1111/jipb.70184

The HaMYB22–HaGST3.2 module mediates salt stress response in sunflower

Siqi Zhang^1†, Yuliang Han^1†, Qixiu Huang^2†, Weijun Guo¹, Shurui Dong¹, Xinxin Li¹, Qian Zhang¹, Juncheng Zhang¹, Yijun Meng¹, Zhonghua Lei², Maohong Cai^1* and Tao Chen^1*

1. College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China

2. Institute of Crops Research, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China

^†These authors contributed equally to this work.

^*Correspondences: Tao Chen (chentao@hznu.edu.cn, Dr. Chen is fully responsible for distributions of all materials associated with thisarticle); Maohong Cai (caimaohong@hznu.edu.cn)

Received:2025-09-17 Accepted:2026-01-20 Online:2026-02-16
Supported by:
This research was supported by Leading Talent of Science and Technology Innovation of Xinjiang Province (2024TSYCLJ0045), the Interdisciplinary Research Project of Hangzhou Normal University (2025JCXK01), The Starting Research Fund from Hangzhou Normal University(2019QDL015), and Tianchi Talents Program of Xinjiang Province (YHBH01003732)

Abstract

Abstract: Soil salinization is a global challenge threatening agricultural production, food security, and sustainable development. As a pioneer crop on saline-alkali land, sunflower plays a crucial role in the improvement and utilization of salt-affected soils. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying sunflower salt tolerance remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified a key R2R3-MYB gene, HaMYB22, through a combination of genome and transcriptome analyses. Functional characterization demonstrates that overexpression of HaMYB22 significantly enhances salt tolerance in both Arabidopsis and sunflower, whereas its silencing decreases salt resistance. Protein interaction assays revealed that HaMYB22 interacts with HaMYB120 and HaMYB181. Glutathione S-transferase HaGST3.2 was identified as a direct target of HaMYB22, and superior haplotype HaMYB22^hap1 can strongly increase HaGST3.2 transcripts. Moreover, HaMYB120 and HaMYB181 synergistically strengthen HaMYB22-mediated HaGST3.2 activation. HaGST3.2 silencing in sunflower decreases salt tolerance. Our findings revealed the importance of the HaMYB22–HaGST3.2 module in sunflower salt tolerance.

Key words: HaMYB22, ROS, salt tolerance, sun?ower

Siqi Zhang, Yuliang Han, Qixiu Huang, Weijun Guo, Shurui Dong, Xinxin Li, Qian Zhang, Juncheng Zhang, Yijun Meng, Zhonghua Lei, Maohong Cai, Tao Chen. The HaMYB22–HaGST3.2 module mediates salt stress response in sunflower[J]. J Integr Plant Biol., DOI: 10.1111/jipb.70184.

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The HaMYB22–HaGST3.2 module mediates salt stress response in sunflower

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