Dufulin-Binding\nProtein OsJAZ5 Functions in Rice Stress\nTolerance

Dufulin\nis a novel immuno-inducer in plants, used to control viral\ndiseases. Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting\nplant growth. OsJAZ5 is a member of the JAZ (JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN)\nprotein family, which are key regulators of the JA (jasmonic acid)\nresponse. In this study, Dufulin promoted expression of the gene <i>OsJAZ5</i> in the salt stress response process of rice, and\nthe interaction between Dufulin and OsJAZ5 was confirmed using microscale\nthermophoresis (MST) and molecular docking studies. We further explored\nthe function of OsJAZ5 protein, using yeast functional complementation\nstudies, physiological and biochemical data of <i>OsJAZ5</i>-overexpressed plants, and transcriptome data to determine its role\nin enhancing rice salt tolerance, and found that OsJAZ5 indirectly\npromotes JA-signaling transduction through its interacting proteins\nOsMYL1 and OsMYL2. In conclusion, OsJAZ5 is a functional target for\nDufulin to achieve enhanced rice salt tolerance, and overexpression\nof <i>OsJAZ5</i> can improve rice tolerance to salt stress.