LcNAC72-LcDREB1 Regulatory Module Mediates Low-Temperature Stress Response by Enhancing ROS Scavenging Capacity in Lonicera caerulea.

Lonicera caerulea (blue honeysuckle) is a high-value berry crop native to cold temperate regions with exceptional intrinsic freezing tolerance. However, research on the underlying mechanisms of cold resistance remains relatively scarce in blue honeysuckle. Here, we demonstrate that the L. caerulea transcription factors LcNAC72 interacts with LcDREB1, as revealed by yeast two-hybrid co-immunoprecipitation, luciferase complementation Imaging, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Agrobacterium-mediated transient overexpression showed that LcNAC72-LcDREB1 cooperatively modulate reactive oxygen species homeostasis to preserve cellular integrity under low temperature. Transgenic plants overexpressing LcNAC72 exhibited markedly attenuated membrane lipid peroxidation and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, whereas silenced plants showed exacerbated oxidative damage. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of LcNAC72-overexpressing Arabidopsis under low temperature further demonstrated significant alteration of MAPK cascade-related genes, suggesting a potential association of the LcNAC72-LcDREB1 module with MAPK-mediated signaling during cold responses. These findings provide a solid basis for exploring the genetic and molecular underpinnings of low-temperature adaptation in L. caerulea.