ABSTRACT
Objective: To construct the expression vector of PgMYB4 gene in Panax ginseng and study its function of the drought resisting in Arabidopsis thaliana. Methods: A P. ginseng gene PgMYB4 was cloned by RT-PCR analysis, further, recombinant plasmid vector with PgMYB4 was transformed into wild-type plants of A. thaliana by Agrobacterium tumefacies-mediated Floral Dip method. Transgenic A. thaliana with the expression of PgMYB4 was obtained, further compared with wild-type plants of A. thaliana, their determination of physiologic index related to drought stress was detected. Results: The cDNA (named a PgMYB4) contained a 735 bp open reading frame, encoded 245 amino acids and the predicted molecular weight was 27.914 KDa; Under the condition of drought stress, the growth of transgenic A. thaliana was obviously better than wild-type A. thaliana. Compared with wild-type A. thaliana, the decreased range of relative chlorophyll content in the leaves of transgenic plants of A. thaliana was smaller and the proline content of transgenic plants of A. thaliana increased significantly. The water loss of transgenic plants of A. thaliana was less than that of Wild-type transgenic plants of A. thaliana. Conclusion: Ginseng PgMYB4 gene has the ability of resistance to drought stress.