FvMYB44, a Strawberry R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor, Improved Salt and Cold Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

MYB (v-MYB avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog) transcription factor (TF) family has numerous members with complex and diverse functions, which perform an integral role in regulating the plant’s response to adversity. This study used cloning to obtain a novel MYB TF gene from the diploid strawberry Fragaria vesca, which was given the designation FvMYB44. Subcellular localization results showed that the protein of FvMYB44 was a nuclear localization protein. The resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana to salt and low temperature stresses was greatly enhanced by the overexpression of FvMYB44. When subjected to salt and temperature stress, transgenic plants showed higher proline and chlorophyll concentrations and higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities than wild-type (WT) and unloaded line (UL) of A. thaliana. In contrast, WT and UL lines had higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reactive oxygen species ROS (O2− and H2O2) content. These findings suggest that FvMYB44 may perform a role in controlling the response of A. thaliana to cold and salt stress.