The functions of an apple cytosolic malate dehydrogenase gene in growth and tolerance to cold and salt stresses

It is well-known that cytosolic NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase (cyMDH; l-malate:NAD-oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.37) is an enzyme crucial for malic acid synthesis in the cytosol. Nothing is known about cyMDH in growth and stress tolerance. Here we characterised the role of the apple cyMDH gene (MdcyMDH, GenBank ID: DQ221207) in growth and tolerance to cold and salt stresses. MdcyMDH transcripts were highly accumulated in vigorously growing apple tissues, organs and suspension cells. In addition, MdcyMDH was sensitive to cold and salt stresses. MdcyMDH overexpression favourably contributed to cell and plant growth and conferred stress tolerance both in the apple callus and tomato. Taken together, our results indicated that MdcyMDH is involved in plant and cell growth as well as the tolerance to cold and salt stresses.