TaSAUR78 enhances multiple abiotic stress tolerance by regulating the interacting gene TaVDAC1

SMALL AUXIN-UP RNAs(SAURs) regulated by abiotic stress play multiple functions in plants. However, the functions of SAURs in abiotic stress are largely unknown. In this study, we cloned a novel SAUR gene, Ta SAUR78, from wheat, and we found that Ta SAUR78 interacted with Ta VDAC1(voltage-dependent anion channel). Salt stress decreased expression of Ta SAUR78 and increased expression of Ta VDAC1. Overexpression of Ta SAUR78 enhanced tolerance to salt, drought, and freezing stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS) under salt stress. Overexpression of Ta VDAC1 enhanced tolerance to salt stress, while decreased tolerance to drought and low temperature stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis. Ta VDAC1 overexpression increased the accumulation of ROS in plants. These results suggested that Ta SAUR78 improved plant tolerance to abiotic stresses by regulating Ta VDAC1. This study generated valuable information on the functions of Ta SAUR78 and Ta VDAC1 in multiple abiotic stresses, which may facilitate the deployment of these genes to enhance crop tolerance to abiotic stresses in the future.