种质资源是地球生命的基础，也是人类赖以生存和发展的根本。脱水耐性是指种子可以忍耐快速干燥、复水后仍能存活的能力，是种子干燥贮存的依据。此前，我们在萌发的柠条种子中重建了脱水耐性，并且发现PEG处理后胚根中Cu和Zn的含量以及金属硫蛋白CkMT4丰度显著升高。为了研究金属离子和MT蛋白对脱水耐性的影响，本项目将以柠条种子为主要实验材料，综合运用种子生物学、生化与分子生物学、细胞生物学的多种方法和技术，开展以下研究：（1）研究五种金属在柠条种子脱水耐性重建中的变化和作用；（2）分析CkMT4基因表达与柠条种子脱水耐性的关系，以及CkMT4与金属离子结合、抵抗金属胁迫的能力；（3）使用突变体和转基因拟南芥探究CkMT4在种子脱水耐性重建中的作用，并结合细胞的氧化还原状态以及MT4的金属结合能力综合阐述其作用机制。本项目将创新性地探索种子脱水耐性的调控和金属硫蛋白的功能，具有一定的理论价值。

Germplasm resources are the foundation of life on earth and the basis for human survival and development. Desiccation tolerance refers to the ability of seeds to withstand rapid dehydration and still survive after rehydration, which enables the dry storage of seeds. In the previous study, we re-established the desiccation tolerance in the germinating seeds of Caragana korshinskii Kom., and found that the content of Cu and Zn and the abundance of metallothionein CkMT4 significantly increased in the radicles after PEG treatment. In order to study the effects of metal ions and MT protein on desiccation tolerance of Caragana korshinskii seeds, we will use multiple methods and techniques of seed biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology to carry out the following research. Firstly, the changes and effects of five metals, such as Cu and Zn, will be analyzed in the process of desiccation tolerance re-establishment. Then the relationship between CkMT4 gene expression and desiccation tolerance, as well as the functions of CkMT4 protein in metal ion binding and tolerance will be evaluated. The function of CkMT4 in desiccation tolerance re-establishment will be investigated in seeds of mutants and transgenic Arabidopsis. Finally, the underlying mechanisms will be comprehensively analyzed in consideration of the redox state of the cells and the metal binding ability of CkMT4. This project will innovatively explore the regulation of desiccation tolerance and functions of metallothionein, and the predicted results are expected of some theoretical values.