Dynamic transcriptomic profiling of Salix triandra under freezing stress identifies StWRKY31 as a positive regulator of cold tolerance.

StWRKY31, a WRKY transcription factor from Salix triandra, is identified as a positive regulator of freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis, enhancing survival under cold stress.

• Why it matters: Understanding molecular mechanisms of cold hardiness in woody plants like Salix triandra is crucial for improving cold tolerance in crops and forestry species, yet these mechanisms are largely unexplored.
• What they did: A time-course transcriptomic analysis of S. triandra seedlings under -4 °C freezing stress identified 11,287 differentially expressed genes, including StWRKY31, which was further studied through heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis.
• The result: Overexpression of StWRKY31 increased freezing survival, reduced ROS accumulation, boosted antioxidant enzyme activities, and upregulated cold-responsive genes, indicating its role as a positive regulator of cold tolerance.