PtKTI12 genes influence wobble uridine modifications and drought stress tolerance in hybrid poplar

The multisubunit Elongator complex plays key roles in transcription by interacting with RNA polymerase II and chromatin modeling. Kti proteins have been identified as the auxiliary protein for the Elongator complex. However, our knowledge of Kti proteins in woody plants remains limited. In this study, in total 16 KTI gene homologs were identified in Populus trichocarpa. Among them, the two KTI12 candidates were named PtKTI12A and PtKTI12B. Although PtKTI12A and PtKTI12B were largely different in gene expression level and tissue specificity, both genes were induced by heat and drought stresses. PtKTI12A and PtKTI12B RNAi transgenic poplar plants showed reduced levels of modified nucleosides, in particular 5-carbamoylmethyluridine and 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine. Meanwhile, their tolerance to drought was improved when subjected to withdrawal of watering. Also, the protein products of PtKTI12A and PtKTI12B had similar subcellular localization and predicted tertiary structure. The results suggest that Kti12 proteins are involved in tRNA wobble uridine modification, stress response and drought stress tolerance in hybrid poplar.