Overexpression of a plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter gene improves salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.
High concentrations of Na+ in saline soils inhibit plant growth and reduce agricultural productivity. We report here that CaMV 35S promoter driven overexpression of the Arabidopsis thaliana SOS1 gene, which encodes a plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, improves plant salt tolerance in A. thaliana. Transgenic plants showed substantial upregulation of SOS1 transcript levels upon NaCl treatment, suggesting post-transcriptional control of SOS1 transcript accumulation. In response to NaCl treatment, transgenic plants overexpressing SOS1 accumulated less Na+ in the xylem transpirational stream and in the shoot. Undifferentiated callus cultures regenerated from the transgenic plants were also more tolerant of salt stress, which was correlated with reduced Na+ content in the transgenic cells. These results show that improved salt tolerance could be achieved by limiting Na+ accumulation in plant cells.
Shi
Huazhong
H
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Lee
Byeong-ha
BH
Wu
Shaw-Jye
SJ
Zhu
Jian-Kang
JK
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000502:physiology; D011786:Quality Control; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D010940:Plant Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; D002734:Chlorophyll; D012965:Sodium Chloride