Auxin response factor gene MdARF2 is involved in ABA signaling and salt stress response in apple

Auxin response factors (ARFs) play key roles throughout the whole process of plant growth and development, and mediate auxin response gene transcription by directly binding with auxin response elements (AuxREs). However, their functions in abiotic stresses are largely limited, especially in apples. Here, the auxin response factor gene MdARF2 (HF41569) was cloned from apple cultivar ‘Royal Gala’ (Malus×domestica Borkh.). Phylogenetic analysis showed that ARF2 proteins are highly conserved among different species and MdARF2 is the closest relative to PpARF2 of Prunus persica, but they differ at the DNA level. MdARF2 contains three typical conserved domains including the B3 DNA-binding domain, Auxin_resp domain and AUX_IAA domain. The subcellular localization demonstrated that MdARF2 is localized in the nucleus. The three-dimensional structure prediction of the proteins showed that MdARF2 is highly similar with AtARF2, and they contain helices, folds, and random coils. The promoter of MdARF2 contains cis-acting elements which respond to various stresses, as well as environmental and hormonal signals. Expression analysis showed that MdARF2 is widely expressed in all tissues of apple, with the highest expression of MdARF2 in root. Functional analysis with a series of MdARF2 transgenic apple calli indicated that MdARF2 can reduce the sensitivity to ABA signaling and enhance salt tolerance in apple. In summary, the results of this research provide a new basis for studying the regulation of abiotic stresses by ARFs.