根系是植物感知和抵御土壤干旱的重要器官。谷胱甘肽是植物体内一类重要的小分子化合物，在植物根系生长和伸长中起重要作用，但其调控根生长和伸长的作用机制还不清楚。研究Ckγ-ECS调控的谷胱甘肽合成是否诱导根尖分生组织干细胞维持关键转录因子PLETHORA2(PLT2)蛋白的谷胱甘肽化并促进柠条根系发育将有助于解析上述机制。本项目以旱区植物柠条锦鸡儿为材料，以PLT2的谷胱甘肽化分析为切入点，分析干旱和抑制剂处理对柠条根系形态和解剖结构以及抗旱性的影响揭示谷胱甘肽合成关键酶γ-ECS在调控根干细胞维持相关蛋白的谷胱甘肽化进而促进柠条根系生长和抗旱性提高中的作用。最后在模式植物拟南芥中过表达Ckγ-ECS基因进一步验证和分析其调控PLT2谷胱甘肽化促进根系生长提高抗旱性的作用。以期阐明柠条深根性状形成的分子机制，进而利用其优质的抗性资源，在干旱半干旱区植被恢复和森林培育中发挥重要作用。

Root is a vital organ in perceiving and reacting to soil drought condition in plants. Glutathione, a small molecular compound, is known to play a key role in regulation of root cell growth and drought tolerance but underlying regulatory mechanism remains obscure. Given that γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS) regulates glutathione synthesis, and PLETHORA2(PLT2) is a key gene regulating root growth and development, understanding the relation between Ckγ-ECS expression and glutathionylation of PLT2 would help elucidate the mechanism underlying glutathione-mediated regulation of root growth, expansion and drought tolerance. In this work, we will analyze the effects of drought treatments on the morphology, anatomical structure and drought resistance of the roots of Caragana korshinskii, as well as expression of Ckγ-ECS. We will also investigate the relation between the glutathionylation of PLT2 and Ckγ-ECS expression in the treated plants. Finally, we will over-express the Ckγ-ECS gene in Arabidopsis thaliana to validate its role in the promotion of glutathionylation of PLT2, the regulation of root growth and the enhancement of drought tolerance. The aim of this work is to understand the molecular mechanism underlying root regulation and drought tolerance, which could be applicable for the improvement of drought tolerances in plants grown and cultivated in arid and semi-arid areas.