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Expression Profile of Selected Genes Involved in Na+ Homeostasis and In Silico miRNA Identification in Medicago sativa and Medicago arborea under Salinity Stress. STRESSES 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/stresses3010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of ions due to increased salinity in the soil is one of the major abiotic stressors of cultivated plants that negatively affect their productivity. The model plant, Medicago truncatula, is the only Medicago species that has been extensively studied, whereas research into increased salinity adaptation of two important forage legumes, M. sativa and M. arborea, has been limited. In the present study, the expression of six genes, namely SOS1, SOS3, NHX2, AKT, AVP and HKT1 was monitored to investigate the manner in which sodium ions are blocked and transferred to the various plant parts. In addition, in silico miRNA analysis was performed to identify miRNAs that possibly control the expression of the genes studied. The following treatments were applied: (1) salt stress, with initial treatment of 50 mM NaCl and gradual acclimatization every 10 days, (2) salt shock, with continuous application of 100 mM NaCl concentration and (3) no application of NaCl. Results showed that M. arborea appeared to overexpress and activate all available mechanisms of resistance in conditions of increased salinity, while M. sativa acted in a more targeted way, overexpressing the HKT1 and AKT genes that contribute to the accumulation of sodium ions, particularly in the root. Regarding miRNA in silico analysis, five miRNAs with significant complementarity to putative target genes, AKT1, AVP and SOS3 were identified and served as a first step in investigating miRNA regulatory networks. Further miRNA expression studies will validate these results. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying salt-responsiveness in Medicago and could be used in the future for generating salt-tolerant genotypes in crop improvement programs.
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Baoxiang W, Bo X, Yan L, Jingfang L, Zhiguang S, Ming C, Yungao X, Bo Y, Jian L, Jinbo L, Tingmu C, Zhaowei F, Baiguan L, Dayong X, Bello BK. A Novel mechanisms of the signaling cascade associated with the SAPK10-bZIP20-NHX1 synergistic interaction to enhance tolerance of plant to abiotic stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.). PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 323:111393. [PMID: 35878697 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The bzip transcription factors can modulate the transcriptional expressions of target genes by binding specifically to cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region of stress-related genes, hence regulating plant stress resistance. Here, we investigated a stress-responsive transcription factor Osbzip20 under abiotic stresses. The OsbZIP20-GFP fusion protein predominantly aggregated in the nucleus, in accordance with our subcellular localization. OsbZIP20 transcript was observed in all vegetative tissues with highest levels being detected in the seed. Transcription of Osbzip20 was induced by salinity, exsiccation, and abscisic acid. Overexpression of OsbZIP20 in transgenic rice considerably improved tolerance to salt and drought stresses, as well as increased sensitivity to ABA. Furthermore, abiotic stress responsive genes transcript were found to be remarkably elevated in transgenic rice overexpressing OsbZIP20 than in wild-type plants. SAPK10 was discovered to directly interact with and phosphorylate OsbZIP20. Yeast one-hybrid and luciferase assay revealed that OsbZIP20 acted as a transcriptional stimulator. Interestingly, gel shift assay showed that phosphorylated bZIP20 augmented its DNA-binding affinity to the ABRE element of the NHX1 promoter and induced its transcription. In sum, our findings establish a novel signaling pathway associated with the SAPK10-bZIP20-NHX1 synergistic interaction, as well as a new strategy for enhancing rice drought and salt tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Baoxiang
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Xu Bo
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Liu Yan
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Li Jingfang
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Sun Zhiguang
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Chi Ming
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Xing Yungao
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Yang Bo
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Li Jian
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Liu Jinbo
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Chen Tingmu
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Fang Zhaowei
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Lu Baiguan
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China
| | - Xu Dayong
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China.
| | - Babatunde Kazeem Bello
- Lianyungang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province 222006, China.
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Shahzad B, Rehman A, Tanveer M, Wang L, Park SK, Ali A. Salt Stress in Brassica: Effects, Tolerance Mechanisms, and Management. JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION 2022. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1007/s00344-021-10338-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
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Bhattarai S, Fu YB, Coulman B, Tanino K, Karunakaran C, Biligetu B. Transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed genes in leaves and roots of two alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars with different salt tolerance. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:446. [PMID: 34610811 PMCID: PMC8491396 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-03201-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production decreases under salt stress. Identification of genes associated with salt tolerance in alfalfa is essential for the development of molecular markers used for breeding and genetic improvement. RESULT An RNA-Seq technique was applied to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with salt stress in two alfalfa cultivars: salt tolerant 'Halo' and salt intolerant 'Vernal'. Leaf and root tissues were sampled for RNA extraction at 0 h, 3 h, and 27 h under 12 dS m- 1 salt stress maintained by NaCl. The sequencing generated a total of 381 million clean sequence reads and 84.8% were mapped on to the alfalfa reference genome. A total of 237 DEGs were identified in leaves and 295 DEGs in roots of the two alfalfa cultivars. In leaf tissue, the two cultivars had a similar number of DEGs at 3 h and 27 h of salt stress, with 31 and 49 DEGs for 'Halo', 34 and 50 for 'Vernal', respectively. In root tissue, 'Halo' maintained 55 and 56 DEGs at 3 h and 27 h, respectively, while the number of DEGs decreased from 42 to 10 for 'Vernal'. This differential expression pattern highlights different genetic responses of the two cultivars to salt stress at different time points. Interestingly, 28 (leaf) and 31 (root) salt responsive candidate genes were highly expressed in 'Halo' compared to 'Vernal' under salt stress, of which 13 candidate genes were common for leaf and root tissues. About 60% of DEGs were assigned to known gene ontology (GO) categories. The genes were involved in transmembrane protein function, photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, defense against oxidative damage, cell wall modification and protection against lipid peroxidation. Ion binding was found to be a key molecular activity for salt tolerance in alfalfa under salt stress. CONCLUSION The identified DEGs are significant for understanding the genetic basis of salt tolerance in alfalfa. The generated genomic information is useful for molecular marker development for alfalfa genetic improvement for salt tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendra Bhattarai
- Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Yong-Bi Fu
- Plant Gene Resources of Canada, Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2, Canada
| | - Bruce Coulman
- Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Karen Tanino
- Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Chithra Karunakaran
- Canadian Light Source, 44 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 2V3, Canada
| | - Bill Biligetu
- Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada.
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Wang Y, Guo Y, Li F, Liu Y, Jin S. Overexpression of KcNHX1 gene confers tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in Arabidopsis thaliana. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2021; 134:613-623. [PMID: 33723703 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-021-01280-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heat affect plant growth and development. Karelinia caspica is a unique perennial herb that grows in desert area for a long time and has strong tolerance to environmental stresses. In order to explore the functions of the Na+/H+ antiporter gene from eremophyte K. caspica (KcNHX1) in the abiotic stress response of K. caspica and the underlying regulatory mechanisms, we constructed a vector overexpressing KcNHX1 and transformed it into Arabidopsis thaliana. The physiological results showed that the overexpression of KcNHX1 in A. thaliana not only enhanced the plant's tolerance to salt stress, but also enhanced its tolerance to drought and heat stress at the seedling stage. In addition, KcNHX1-overexpressing plants exhibited enhanced reproductive growth under high temperature, which was mediated by increased auxin accumulation. Taken together, our results indicate that KcNHX1 from an eremophyte can be used as a candidate gene to improve multiple stress tolerance in other plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqin Wang
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Crops Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin, Tarim University, Alaer, 843300, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alaer, 843300, Xinjiang, China.
| | - Yuan Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alaer, 843300, Xinjiang, China
| | - Fen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alaer, 843300, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Crops Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin, Tarim University, Alaer, 843300, Xinjiang, China
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alaer, 843300, Xinjiang, China
| | - Shuangxia Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
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Basu S, Kumar A, Benazir I, Kumar G. Reassessing the role of ion homeostasis for improving salinity tolerance in crop plants. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 171:502-519. [PMID: 32320060 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Soil salinity is a constraint for major agricultural crops leading to severe yield loss, which may increase with the changing climatic conditions. Disruption in the cellular ionic homeostasis is one of the primary responses induced by elevated sodium ions (Na+ ). Therefore, unraveling the mechanism of Na+ uptake and transport in plants along with the characterization of the candidate genes facilitating ion homeostasis is obligatory for enhancing salinity tolerance in crops. This review summarizes the current advances in understanding the ion homeostasis mechanism in crop plants, emphasizing the role of transporters involved in the regulation of cytosolic Na+ level along with the conservation of K+ /Na+ ratio. Furthermore, expression profiles of the candidate genes for ion homeostasis were also explored under various developmental stages and tissues of Oryza sativa based on the publicly available microarray data. The review also gives an up-to-date summary on the efforts to increase salinity tolerance in crops by manipulating selected stress-associated genes. Overall, this review gives a combined view on both the ionomic and molecular background of salt stress tolerance in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahana Basu
- Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar, 788011, India
| | - Alok Kumar
- Department of Life Science, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, 824236, India
| | - Ibtesham Benazir
- Department of Life Science, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, 824236, India
| | - Gautam Kumar
- Department of Life Science, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, 824236, India
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Karim R, Bouchra B, Fatima G, Abdelkarim FM, Laila S. Plant NHX Antiporters: From Function to Biotechnological Application, with Case Study. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2020; 22:60-73. [PMID: 33143624 DOI: 10.2174/1389203721666201103085151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that negatively affect crops worldwide. Plants have evolved a series of mechanisms to cope with the limitations imposed by salinity. Molecular mechanisms, including the upregulation of cation transporters such as the Na+/H+ antiporters, are one of the processes adopted by plants to survive in saline environments. NHX antiporters are involved in salt tolerance, development, cell expansion, growth performance and disease resistance of plants. They are integral membrane proteins belonging to the widely distributed CPA1 sub-group of monovalent cation/H+ antiporters and provide an important strategy for ionic homeostasis in plants under saline conditions. These antiporters are known to regulate the exchange of sodium and hydrogen ions across the membrane and are ubiquitous to all eukaryotic organisms. With the genomic approach, previous studies reported that a large number of proteins encoding Na+/H+ antiporter genes have been identified in many plant species and successfully introduced into desired species to create transgenic crops with enhanced tolerance to multiple stresses. In this review, we focus on plant antiporters and all the aspects from their structure, classification, function to their in silico analysis. On the other hand, we performed a genome-wide search to identify the predicted NHX genes in Argania spinosa L. We highlighted for the first time the presence of four putative NHX (AsNHX1-4) from the Argan tree genome, whose phylogenetic analysis revealed their classification in one distinct vacuolar cluster. The essential information of the four putative NHXs, such as gene structure, subcellular localization and transmembrane domains was analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabeh Karim
- Team of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment Research Center, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, B.P. 1014 RP, Morocco
| | - Belkadi Bouchra
- Team of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment Research Center, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, B.P. 1014 RP, Morocco
| | - Gaboun Fatima
- Plant Breeding Unit, National Institute for Agronomic Research, Regional Center of Rabat, B.P. 6356-Rabat-Instituts, Morocco
| | - Filali-Maltouf Abdelkarim
- Team of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment Research Center, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, B.P. 1014 RP, Morocco
| | - Sbabou Laila
- Team of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment Research Center, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, B.P. 1014 RP, Morocco
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Hrbáčková M, Dvořák P, Takáč T, Tichá M, Luptovčiak I, Šamajová O, Ovečka M, Šamaj J. Biotechnological Perspectives of Omics and Genetic Engineering Methods in Alfalfa. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:592. [PMID: 32508859 PMCID: PMC7253590 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
For several decades, researchers are working to develop improved major crops with better adaptability and tolerance to environmental stresses. Forage legumes have been widely spread in the world due to their great ecological and economic values. Abiotic and biotic stresses are main factors limiting legume production, however, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) shows relatively high level of tolerance to drought and salt stress. Efforts focused on alfalfa improvements have led to the release of cultivars with new traits of agronomic importance such as high yield, better stress tolerance or forage quality. Alfalfa has very high nutritional value due to its efficient symbiotic association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, while deep root system can help to prevent soil water loss in dry lands. The use of modern biotechnology tools is challenging in alfalfa since full genome, unlike to its close relative barrel medic (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.), was not released yet. Identification, isolation, and improvement of genes involved in abiotic or biotic stress response significantly contributed to the progress of our understanding how crop plants cope with these environmental challenges. In this review, we provide an overview of the progress that has been made in high-throughput sequencing, characterization of genes for abiotic or biotic stress tolerance, gene editing, as well as proteomic and metabolomics techniques bearing biotechnological potential for alfalfa improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jozef Šamaj
- Department of Cell Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
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Mushke R, Yarra R, Kirti PB. Improved salinity tolerance and growth performance in transgenic sunflower plants via ectopic expression of a wheat antiporter gene (TaNHX2). Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:5941-5953. [PMID: 31401779 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05028-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus. L) is one of the principal oil seed crops affected by the salinity stress, which limits the oil content and crop yield of sunflower plants. The acclimatization of plants to abiotic stresses such as salinity tolerance is mainly mediated by the vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporters (NHX) by tagging Na+ into vacuoles from the cytosol. We show here that the over-expression of wheat TaNHX2 gene in transgenic sunflower conferred improved salinity stress tolerance and growth performance. Transgenic sunflower plants were produced by infecting the embryonic axis ex-plants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 containing a pBin438-TaNHX2 binary vector that carried a wheat antiporter (TaNHX2) gene under the control of a double CaMV 35S promoter with NPT II gene as a selectable marker. PCR analysis of T0 and T1 transgenic plants confirmed the integration of TaNHX2 in sunflower genome. Stable integration and expression of TaNHX2 in sunflower genome was further verified by Southern hybridization and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses. As compared to the non-transformed plants, TaNHX2 expressing transgenic plants showed better growth performance and accumulated higher Na+, K+ contents in leaves and roots under salt stress (200 mM NaCl). Transgenic sunflower plants displayed improved protection against cell damage exhibiting stable relative water content, chlorophyll content, increased proline accumulation and improved reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging because of higher activities of the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, along with decreased production of hydrogen peroxide, free oxygen radical and malondialdehyde (MDA) under salt stress (200 mM NaCl). Taken together, our findings suggest that TaNHX2 expression in sunflower plants contributed towards improving growth performance under sodium chloride stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Mushke
- Aegis Agro Chemical India Pvt Ltd, Plot No: B 11/1, Industrial Developmental Area, Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500039, India
| | - Rajesh Yarra
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500049, India.
| | - P B Kirti
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500049, India
- Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa-Samsthipur, Bihar, India
- Agri Biotech Foundation, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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Genome Wide Identification, Molecular Characterization, and Gene Expression Analyses of Grapevine NHX Antiporters Suggest Their Involvement in Growth, Ripening, Seed Dormancy, and Stress Response. Biochem Genet 2019; 58:102-128. [PMID: 31286319 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-019-09930-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Plant NHX antiporters are critical for cellular pH, Na+, and K+ homeostasis and salt tolerance. Even though their genomic and functional studies have been conducted in many species, the grapevine NHX family has not been described yet. Our work highlights the presence of six VvNHX genes whose phylogenetic analysis revealed their classification in two distinct groups: group I vacuolar (VvNHX1-5) and group II endosomal (VvNHX6). Several cis-acting regulatory elements related to tissue-specific expression, transcription factor binding, abiotic/biotic stresses response, and light regulation elements were identified in their promoter. Expression profile analyses of VvNHX genes showed variable transcription within organs and tissues with diverse patterns according to biochemical, environmental, and biotic treatments. All VvNHXs are involved in berry growth, except VvNHX5 that seems to be rather implicated in seed maturation. VvNHX4 would be more involved in floral development, while VvNHX2 and 3 display redundant roles. QPCR expression analyses of VvNHX1 showed its induction by NaCl and KNO3 treatments, whereas VvNHX6 was induced by ABA application and strongly repressed by PEG treatment. VvNHX1 plays a crucial role in a bunch of grape developmental steps and adaptation responses through mechanisms of phyto-hormonal signaling. Overall, VvNHX family members could be valuable candidate genes for grapevine improvement.
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Nadeem M, Li J, Yahya M, Wang M, Ali A, Cheng A, Wang X, Ma C. Grain Legumes and Fear of Salt Stress: Focus on Mechanisms and Management Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E799. [PMID: 30781763 PMCID: PMC6412900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Salinity is an ever-present major constraint and a major threat to legume crops, particularly in areas with irrigated agriculture. Legumes demonstrate high sensitivity, especially during vegetative and reproductive phases. This review gives an overview of legumes sensitivity to salt stress (SS) and mechanisms to cope with salinity stress under unfavorable conditions. It also focuses on the promising management approaches, i.e., agronomic practices, breeding approaches, and genome editing techniques to improve performance of legumes under SS. Now, the onus is on researchers to comprehend the plants physiological and molecular mechanisms, in addition to various responses as part of their stress tolerance strategy. Due to their ability to fix biological nitrogen, high protein contents, dietary fiber, and essential mineral contents, legumes have become a fascinating group of plants. There is an immense need to develop SS tolerant legume varieties to meet growing demand of protein worldwide. This review covering crucial areas ranging from effects, mechanisms, and management strategies, may elucidate further the ways to develop SS-tolerant varieties and to produce legume crops in unfavorable environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem
- School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Jiajia Li
- School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Muhammad Yahya
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Minghua Wang
- School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Asif Ali
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Andong Cheng
- School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Chuanxi Ma
- School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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Miranda RDS, Mesquita RO, Costa JH, Alvarez-Pizarro JC, Prisco JT, Gomes-Filho E. Integrative Control Between Proton Pumps and SOS1 Antiporters in Roots is Crucial for Maintaining Low Na+ Accumulation and Salt Tolerance in Ammonium-Supplied Sorghum bicolor. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 58:522-536. [PMID: 28158828 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcw231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
An effective strategy for re-establishing K+ and Na+ homeostasis is a challenge for the improvement of plant performance in saline soil. Specifically, attempts to understand the mechanisms of Na+ extrusion from plant cells, the control of Na+ loading in the xylem and the partitioning of the accumulated Na+ between different plant organs are ongoing. Our goal was to provide insight into how an external nitrogen source affects Na+ accumulation in Sorghum bicolor under saline conditions. The NH4+ supply improved the salt tolerance of the plant by restricting Na+ accumulation and improving the K+/Na+ homeostasis in shoots, which was consistent with the high activity and expression of Na+/H+ antiporters and proton pumps in the plasma membrane and vacuoles in the roots, resulting in low Na+ loading in the xylem. Conversely, although NO3--grown plants had exclusion and sequestration mechanisms for Na+, these responses were not sufficient to reduce Na+ accumulation. In conclusion, NH4+ acts as an efficient signal to activate co-ordinately responses involved in the regulation of Na+ homeostasis in sorghum plants under salt stress, which leads to salt tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael de Souza Miranda
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Salinidade (INCTSal/CNPq), Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60440-554, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - José Hélio Costa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Salinidade (INCTSal/CNPq), Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60440-554, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Juan Carlos Alvarez-Pizarro
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias e da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Cariri, 63133-610, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - José Tarquinio Prisco
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Salinidade (INCTSal/CNPq), Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60440-554, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Enéas Gomes-Filho
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Salinidade (INCTSal/CNPq), Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60440-554, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Lei Y, Hannoufa A, Yu P. The Use of Gene Modification and Advanced Molecular Structure Analyses towards Improving Alfalfa Forage. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E298. [PMID: 28146083 PMCID: PMC5343834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alfalfa is one of the most important legume forage crops in the world. In spite of its agronomic and nutritive advantages, alfalfa has some limitations in the usage of pasture forage and hay supplement. High rapid degradation of protein in alfalfa poses a risk of rumen bloat to ruminants which could cause huge economic losses for farmers. Coupled with the relatively high lignin content, which impedes the degradation of carbohydrate in rumen, alfalfa has unbalanced and asynchronous degradation ratio of nitrogen to carbohydrate (N/CHO) in rumen. Genetic engineering approaches have been used to manipulate the expression of genes involved in important metabolic pathways for the purpose of improving the nutritive value, forage yield, and the ability to resist abiotic stress. Such gene modification could bring molecular structural changes in alfalfa that are detectable by advanced structural analytical techniques. These structural analyses have been employed in assessing alfalfa forage characteristics, allowing for rapid, convenient and cost-effective analysis of alfalfa forage quality. In this article, we review two major obstacles facing alfalfa utilization, namely poor protein utilization and relatively high lignin content, and highlight genetic studies that were performed to overcome these drawbacks, as well as to introduce other improvements to alfalfa quality. We also review the use of advanced molecular structural analysis in the assessment of alfalfa forage for its potential usage in quality selection in alfalfa breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaogeng Lei
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada.
| | - Abdelali Hannoufa
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada.
| | - Peiqiang Yu
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada.
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Khan MS, Khan MA, Ahmad D. Assessing Utilization and Environmental Risks of Important Genes in Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:792. [PMID: 27446095 PMCID: PMC4919908 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic plants with improved salt and drought stress tolerance have been developed with a large number of abiotic stress-related genes. Among these, the most extensively used genes are the glycine betaine biosynthetic codA, the DREB transcription factors, and vacuolar membrane Na(+)/H(+) antiporters. The use of codA, DREBs, and Na(+)/H(+) antiporters in transgenic plants has conferred stress tolerance and improved plant phenotype. However, the future deployment and commercialization of these plants depend on their safety to the environment. Addressing environmental risk assessment is challenging since mechanisms governing abiotic stress tolerance are much more complex than that of insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits, which have been considered to date. Therefore, questions arise, whether abiotic stress tolerance genes need additional considerations and new measurements in risk assessment and, whether these genes would have effects on weediness and invasiveness potential of transgenic plants? While considering these concerns, the environmental risk assessment of abiotic stress tolerance genes would need to focus on the magnitude of stress tolerance, plant phenotype and characteristics of the potential receiving environment. In the present review, we discuss environmental concerns and likelihood of concerns associated with the use of abiotic stress tolerance genes. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the uses of these genes in domesticated crop plants are safe for the environment. Risk assessment, however, should be carefully conducted on biofeedstocks and perennial plants taking into account plant phenotype and the potential receiving environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. Khan
- Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, The University of Agriculture, PeshawarPakistan
| | - Muhammad A. Khan
- Research School of Biology, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACTAustralia
| | - Dawood Ahmad
- Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, The University of Agriculture, PeshawarPakistan
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15
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Quan W, Liu X, Wang H, Chan Z. Comparative Physiological and Transcriptional Analyses of Two Contrasting Drought Tolerant Alfalfa Varieties. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 6:1256. [PMID: 26793226 PMCID: PMC4709457 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Drought is one of major environmental determinants of plant growth and productivity. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a legume perennial forage crop native to the arid and semi-arid environment, which is an ideal candidate to study the biochemical and molecular mechanisms conferring drought resistance in plants. In this study, drought stress responses of two alfalfa varieties, Longdong and Algonquin, were comparatively assayed at the physiological, morphological, and transcriptional levels. Under control condition, the drought-tolerant Longdong with smaller leaf size and lower stomata density showed less water loss than the drought-sensitive Algonquin. After exposing to drought stress, Longdong showed less severe cell membrane damage, more proline, and ascorbate (ASC) contents and less accumulation of H2O2 than Algonquin. Moreover, significantly higher antioxidant enzymes activities after drought treatment were found in Longdong when compared with Algonquin. In addition, transcriptional expression analysis showed that Longdong exhibited significantly higher transcripts of drought-responsive genes in leaf and root under drought stress condition. Taken together, these results indicated that Longdong variety was more drought-tolerant than Algonquin variety as evidenced by less leaf firing, more lateral root number, higher relative aboveground/underground biomass per plant and survival rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Quan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center – Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Xun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center – Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Haiqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology – Chinese Academy of SciencesXining, China
| | - Zhulong Chan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center – Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan, China
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16
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Khan MS, Ahmad D, Khan MA. Trends in genetic engineering of plants with (Na+/H+) antiporters for salt stress tolerance. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2015.1060868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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17
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Zhang WJ, Wang T. Enhanced salt tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) by rstB gene transformation. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2015; 234:110-8. [PMID: 25804814 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2014.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Generating salt tolerance forage plant is essential for use of the land affected by high salinity. A salt tolerance gene rstB was used as a selectable marker gene in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tobacco under a selective regime of 170mM NaCl. The transgenic plants showed clear improvement in salt tolerance. To improve salt tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), rstB gene was introduced into alfalfa genome by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. No abnormal phenotype was observed among the transgenic plants when compared with wild type (wt) plants. Significant enhancement of resistance to salt-shock treatment was noted on the rstB transgenic (T0) plants. Transgenic second-generation (T1) seeds showed improved germination rate and seedling growth under salt-stress condition. Hindered Na(+) accumulation, but enhanced Ca(2+) accumulation was observed on the rstB T1 plants when subjected to salt-stresses. Enhanced calcium accumulation in transgenic plants was also verified by cytohistochemical localization of calcium. Under salt-stress of 50mM NaCl, about 15% of the transgenic plants finished their life-cycle but the wt plants had no flower formation. The results demonstrated that the expression of rstB gene improved salt tolerance in transgenic alfalfa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Jun Zhang
- Department of Grassland Science, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
| | - Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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Zhang YM, Zhang HM, Liu ZH, Li HC, Guo XL, Li GL. The wheat NHX antiporter gene TaNHX2 confers salt tolerance in transgenic alfalfa by increasing the retention capacity of intracellular potassium. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 87:317-27. [PMID: 25549607 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-014-0278-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that TaNHX2 transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) accumulated more K(+) and less Na(+) in leaves than did the wild-type plants. To investigate whether the increased K(+) accumulation in transgenic plants is attributed to TaNHX2 gene expression and whether the compartmentalization of Na(+) into vacuoles or the intracellular compartmentalization of potassium is the critical mechanism for TaNHX2-dependent salt tolerance in transgenic alfalfa, aerated hydroponic culture was performed under three different stress conditions: control condition (0.1 mM Na(+) and 6 mM K(+) inside culture solution), K(+)-sufficient salt stress (100 mM NaCl and 6 mM K(+)) and K(+)-insufficient salt stress (100 mM NaCl and 0.1 mM K(+)). The transgenic alfalfa plants had lower K(+) efflux through specific K(+) channels and higher K(+) absorption through high-affinity K(+) transporters than did the wild-type plants. Therefore, the transgenic plants had greater K(+) contents and [K(+)]/[Na(+)] ratios in leaf tissue and cell sap. The intracellular compartmentalization of potassium is critical for TaNHX2-induced salt tolerance in transgenic alfalfa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Min Zhang
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Plant Genetic Engineering Center of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050051, China,
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Roy S, Chakraborty U. Salt tolerance mechanisms in Salt Tolerant Grasses (STGs) and their prospects in cereal crop improvement. BOTANICAL STUDIES 2014; 55:31. [PMID: 28510965 PMCID: PMC5432819 DOI: 10.1186/1999-3110-55-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Increasing soil salinity in the agricultural fields all over the world is a matter of concern. Salinity poses a serious threat to the normal growth and development of crop plants. What adds to the concern is that all the cereal crops are sensitive to increasing soil salinity. So it is implacable to either search for salinity resistant varieties of crop plants or transform them genetically to sustain growth and reproducibility at increasing salinity stress. For the second perspective, mining the salt tolerant genes in the close relatives of cereal crops apparently becomes important, and most specifically in the salt tolerant grasses (STGs). STGs include the halophytes, facultative halophytes and salt-tolerant glycophytes of the family Poaceae. In this review the potentiality of STGs has been evaluated for increasing the salinity tolerance of cereal crops. STGs are capable of surviving at increasing salt stress by utilizing different mechanisms that include vacuolization of toxic Na+ and Cl- in mature or senescing leaves, secretion of excess salts by salt glands, accumulation of osmolytes like proline and glycine betaine, and scavenging of ROS by antioxidative enzymes. The STGs are a therefore a potent source of salt tolerant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarnendu Roy
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, 734013 West Bengal India
| | - Usha Chakraborty
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, 734013 West Bengal India
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20
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Zhang JL, Shi H. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of plant salt tolerance. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2013; 115:1-22. [PMID: 23539361 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-013-9813-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Salt tolerance is an important economic trait for crops growing in both irrigated fields and marginal lands. The plant kingdom contains plant species that possess highly distinctive capacities for salt tolerance as a result of evolutionary adaptation to their environments. Yet, the cellular mechanisms contributing to salt tolerance seem to be conserved to some extent in plants although some highly salt-tolerant plants have unique structures that can actively excrete salts. In this review, we begin by summarizing the research in Arabidopsis with a focus on the findings of three membrane transporters that are important for salt tolerance: SOS1, AtHKT1, and AtNHX1. We then review the recent studies in salt tolerance in crops and halophytes. Molecular and physiological mechanisms of salt tolerance in plants revealed by the studies in the model plant, crops, and halophytes are emphasized. Utilization of the Na(+) transporters to improve salt tolerance in plants is also summarized. Perspectives are provided at the end of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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