An ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3-like gene from the desert moss Syntrichia caninervis confers abiotic stress tolerance and reduces ABA sensitivity

The desiccation tolerant desert moss Syntrichia caninervis is a potential source for genetic element that could be utilized for crop improvement for drought tolerance. An ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3) transcriptional factor, that plays critical role in the regulation ABA influenced dehydration tolerance, has been isolated, characterized and overexpressed in transgenic Arabidopsis. The ScABI3 gene encodes a highly conserved protein structure typical of ABI3 genes from other plant sources. It is induced by dehydration, rehydration, and cold. It is localized in the nuclei of transiently transformed tobacco endodermal cells and exhibits transactivation activity. Ectopic expression of ScABI3 in Arabidopsis enhanced salinity and osmotic stress tolerance, and alters the responsiveness of several abiotic stress induced genes. These results suggest that ScABI3 has promise as a possible target gene for abiotic stress tolerance improvement strategies.