Updated project metadata.
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (common ice plant) is one of the most important halophyte plants for plant stress biology research. In this study, we established an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method in ice plant and confirmed that ice plant can sustain gene overexpression for four weeks. Expression of a salt-induced transcription factor McHB7 (OE) reached the highest level at seven days after infiltration. Under salt and drought stresses, the growth of OE was better than wild type (WT), and the activities of redox enzymes and chlorophyll contents were higher in OE than the WT. Using proteomics, 475, 510 and 378 proteins were identified to be significantly changed in the OE lines under control, salt, and drought conditions, respectively. Most increased proteins were involved in various processes including Calvin cycle, citric acid cycle, glycolysis, and antioxidant pathways. Some were found to participate in ABA biosynthesis or response. Metabolomics revealed that many metabolites and phytohormones in OE were involved in plant growth and development. Also, ABA was increased in OE lines under control, salt, and drought conditions. Yeast one-hybrid analysis showed that McHB7 can bind to ERD and ABA-related motifs. And protein-protein interaction analysis discovered the candidate proteins that were responsive to stresses and hormones (e.g., ABA).