NtFATB silencing impairs lipid homeostasis and enhances cold sensitivity associated with reduced the ICE-CBF-COR expression in Nicotiana tabacum.
Silencing NtFATB in Nicotiana tabacum reduces lipid diversity and increases cold sensitivity, with a 50% decrease in key lipid classes and suppressed cold-responsive gene expression.
- Why it matters: Understanding NtFATB's role is crucial because lipid homeostasis influences plant stress responses, yet its specific functions in tobacco remain unclear, limiting strategies to improve cold tolerance.
- What they did: Researchers identified and characterized NtFATB, generated RNAi lines, and performed lipidomic profiling, revealing significant alterations in lipid composition and membrane unsaturation levels.
- The result: Loss of NtFATB impairs lipid balance and weakens cold stress defenses, highlighting its potential as a target for enhancing cold resilience through lipid regulation and gene expression pathways.