Overexpression of the Panax ginseng CyP gene enhances abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

To explore the response of the cyclophilin (CyP) gene to abiotic and biotic stress, transgenic Arabidopsis was exposed to salt stress and inoculated with Phytophthora cactorum. The CyP gene enhanced salt tolerance by increasing proline content and slowing chlorophyll decline compared to wild-type plants. Under P. cactorum infection, the CyP protein interacted with spores and restricted spore germination to enhance resistance to P. cactorum. Thus, the CyP protein positively regulates gene expression in the abiotic and biotic stress tolerance networks. The CyP gene may be valuable for ginseng breeding programs aiming to develop new cultivars with enhanced stress tolerance. •The CyP gene enhances plant biotic resistance by inhibiting the spore germination of Phytophthora cactorum.•The CyP gene facilitates the production of proline under salt stress, thereby improving resistance to salt stress.•Under salt stress, the decline in chlorophyll levels was slower in transgenic Arabidopsis compared to the wild-type.