LrHSP17.2 Plays an Important Role in Abiotic Stress Responses by Regulating ROS Scavenging and Stress-Related Genes in Lilium regale

As an important part of heat shock response module, heat shock proteins (HSP) play an important role in plant defense response against heat stress; however, the involvement of the majority of the HSP family members against other abiotic stresses remains poorly understood. In the present study, <i>LrHSP17.2</i> was identified and its function against abiotic stress was analyzed. The expression level of <i>LrHSP17.2</i> was significantly induced by heat. Heterologous transgenes of <i>LrHSP17.2</i> showed that <i>LrHSP17.2</i> can increase the activity of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase to removes excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), maintain the stability of the membrane structure, and regulate genes related to antioxidant enzymes and defense under abiotic stress. In addition, <i>LrHSP17.2</i> could be regulated by exogenous abscisic acid and melatonin, and the related hormone synthesis genes of transgenic plants were significantly up-regulated under heat stress. Taken together, our results revealed that LrHSP17.2 is involved in regulating abiotic stress responses by regulating ROS scavenging and stress-related genes in <i>Lilium regale</i>.