Overexpression of Trypsin Protease Inhibitor in Transgenic Tobacco Plants Exhibit Oxidative Stress Tolerance and Fungal Resistance

Abstract

Protease inhibitors (PIs) are known for their biotic stress tolerance and this has been proved through many transgenic plant studies. Further, the PIs were reported to be induced in abiotic stress conditions and later it also proven to confer abiotic stress tolerance. A PI was isolated and expressed in tobacco plants which have exhibited salinity, pH and osmotic stress tolerance (Srinivasan et al 2009) along with insect resistance. In this communication, we show that these transgenic plants also exhibit enhanced the oxidative stress tolerance and fungal resistance. The trichome number were also enhanced which might be further helping the transgenic plants in conferring resistance to pest and pathogens.