Functional Characterization of Waterlogging and Heat Stresses Tolerance Gene Pyruvate decarboxylase 2 from Actinidia deliciosa

A previous report showed that both ( ) genes were significantly upregulated in kiwifruit after waterlogging treatment using Illumina sequencing technology, and that the kiwifruit gene was required during waterlogging, but might not be required during other environmental stresses. Here, the function of another gene, named , was analyzed. The expression of the gene was determined using qRT-PCR, and the results showed that the expression levels of in the reproductive organs were much higher than those in the nutritive organs. Waterlogging, NaCl, and heat could induce the expression of . Overexpression of kiwifruit in transgenic enhanced resistance to waterlogging and heat stresses in five-week-old seedlings, but could not enhance resistance to NaCl and mannitol stresses at the seed germination stage and in early seedlings. These results suggested that the kiwifruit gene may play an important role in waterlogging resistance and heat stresses in kiwifruit.