An elite allele TaDT1-AhapI enhances drought tolerance via mediating autophagic pathways in wheat

Xingbei Liu, Jinpeng Li, Chenji Zhang, Danyang Zhao, Xiao Peng, Qun Yang, Zehui Liu, Lingfeng Miao, Wei Chu, Jingchen Lin, Shumin Chang, Debiao Liu, Xiaoyu Liu, Wenxi Wang, Xiaobo Wang, Mingming Xin, Yingyin Yao, Weilong Guo, Xiaodong Xie, Huiru Peng, Zhongfu Ni, Qixin Sun and Zhaorong Hu ()
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Xingbei Liu: China Agricultural University
Jinpeng Li: China Agricultural University
Chenji Zhang: China Agricultural University
Danyang Zhao: China Agricultural University
Xiao Peng: China Agricultural University
Qun Yang: China Agricultural University
Zehui Liu: China Agricultural University
Lingfeng Miao: China Agricultural University
Wei Chu: China Agricultural University
Jingchen Lin: China Agricultural University
Shumin Chang: China Agricultural University
Debiao Liu: China Agricultural University
Xiaoyu Liu: China Agricultural University
Wenxi Wang: China Agricultural University
Xiaobo Wang: China Agricultural University
Mingming Xin: China Agricultural University
Yingyin Yao: China Agricultural University
Weilong Guo: China Agricultural University
Xiaodong Xie: Tianjin Agricultural University
Huiru Peng: China Agricultural University
Zhongfu Ni: China Agricultural University
Qixin Sun: China Agricultural University
Zhaorong Hu: China Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract Drought stress constitutes a major threat to global wheat production. Identification of the genetic components underlying drought tolerance in wheat is highly important. Through a genome-wide association study, we identify a natural allele of the zinc finger-type transcription factor TaDT1-A on chromosome 2 A of the wheat genome that confers drought tolerance without imposing trade-offs between tolerance and yield. This allele, named TaDT1-AhapI, causes an 899-bp deletion in the promoter of the TaDT1-A gene, which results in increased expression of the gene through escape of the repressive MYC transcription factor and, consequently, the promotion of stomatal dynamics and water use efficiency via increased autophagy activity. Our findings provide genetic insights into the natural variation in wheat drought tolerance. The identified loci or genes can serve as direct targets for both genetic engineering and selection for wheat trait improvement.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61943-3

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