The TIFY transcription factor ZmJAZ13 enhances plant tolerance to drought and salt stress by interacting with ZmbHLH161 and ZmA0A1D6GLB9.

The JAZ protein family, serving as a key negative regulator in the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, interacts with transcription factors to play an essential role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, minimal research has focused on the role of JAZ transcription factors in regulating the growth, development, and stress responses of maize. In this study, we cloned the JAZ gene ZmJAZ13 from maize (Zea mays L.) and conducted a preliminary analysis of its biological function. ZmJAZ13 was highly expressed in maize immature embryos and was induced by abiotic stress and plant hormone treatments. Y2H and BiFC assays revealed interactions between ZmJAZ13 and ZmbHLH161, as well as ZmA0A1D6GLB9. Heterologous expression of ZmJAZ13 in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced plant tolerance to drought and salt stress, increased chlorophyll content, decreased malondialdehyde content, and enhanced peroxidase activity. Under abiotic stress, heterologous expression of ZmJAZ13 in Arabidopsis upregulated the expression levels of stress-related genes (RD22, RD29-A). Together, these results suggested that ZmJAZ13 may respond to abiotic stress, providing a foundation for further investigation into the mechanism of action of ZmJAZ13 in maize.