The molecular mechanism of CsWRKY24-4 and CsWRKY24-5 in response to cold stress in tea plants (Camellia sinensis).

CsWRKY24-4 and CsWRKY24-5 transcription factors significantly enhance cold tolerance in tea plants, with overexpression improving resilience under low-temperature stress.

• Why it matters: Cold stress limits tea yield, and understanding the molecular mechanisms behind cold tolerance can help develop more resilient tea varieties, addressing a critical agricultural challenge.
• What they did: Researchers identified two cold-responsive WRKY transcription factors from Camellia sinensis, analyzed their expression, and demonstrated their roles through heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis and functional assays, including Y1H, dual-luciferase, Y2H, and LCA.
• The result: Both CsWRKY24-4 and CsWRKY24-5 positively regulate cold stress responses, with CsWRKY24-5 directly interacting with the CsERF061 promoter and both interacting with CsSPL15, revealing key pathways for cold adaptation in tea plants.