Baolu Cui

Dr. Baolu Cui


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 October 2025 in BMC Plant Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZZZhiguo Zhu
Zhiguo Zhu
XLXiaoguang Liu
Xiaoguang Liu
ZLZhuolun Li
Zhuolun Li
JYJia Ye
Jia Ye
ZZZihua Zhong
Zihua Zhong
BCBaolu Cui
Baolu Cui
Trihelix factors play important roles in improving plant resistance to abiotic stress, however, the role of SIP1 subfamily contributing to cold tolerance was rarely reported in tomatoes. Here, we isolated a cold-repressed gene, SlGT-33, from the tomato and found it vital biological function in morphological development and adaptation to prolonged chilling stress. SlGT-33 belonged to SIP1 clade and was localized to cell nucleus. SlGT-33 was specifically expressed in mature leaves and stems, induced by ABA and dehydration, and repressed by GA and low temperature. Overexpression of SlGT-33 suppressed the chlorophyll synthesis but promoted fruits set than control under prolonged cold conditions. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis demonstrated that SlGT-33 OE lines have higher vitality and antioxidant capacity than control. Concomitantly, SlCBFs, SlICE1, and SlAPX2 were significantly upregulated in SlGT-33 OE lines along with high activity of SOD, POD and CAT. Interestingly, most of the top upregulated DEGs were located at specific loci on chromosome 2, a potential site of photosynthesis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the GA elements are present in their promoters. EMSA assay confirmed that SlGT-33 binds to GA elements and directly regulates the expression of ICE1 and CaM6. Y2H assays demonstrated that SlGT-33 interacts with ICE1 but not with CaM6. To investigate the reason for early fruits set, we detected higher GA contents and lower ABA levels by HPLC in SlGT-33 OE lines. Moreover, genes involved in GA synthetic and response were significantly upregulated in SlGT-33 OE lines. Collectively, this study demonstrated that SlGT-33 enhances cold tolerance and early fruits set under prolonged chilling stress by upregulating antioxidant capacity, interacting with ICE1, directly inducing the expression of ICE1 and CaM6, and promoting GA synthesis.

13 June 2023 in Journal of Plant Growth Regulation
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
FLFenfen Li
Fenfen Li
BCBaolu Cui
Baolu Cui
ZZZhiguo Zhu
Zhiguo Zhu
SZShengen Zhou
Shengen Zhou