title: Functional validation of a novel isoform of Na+/H+ antiporter from Pennisetum glaucum for enhancing salinity tolerance in rice.
abstract: Salt stress is an environmental factor that severely impairs plant growth and productivity. We have cloned a novel isoform of a vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter from Pennisetum glaucum (PgNHX1) that contains 5 transmembrane domains in contrast to AtNHX1 and OsNHX1 which have 9 transmembrane domains. Recently we have shown that PgNHX1 could confer high level of salinity tolerance when overexpressed in Brassica juncea. Here,we report the functional validation of this antiporter in crop plant rice. Overexpression of PgNHX1 conferred high level of salinity tolerance in rice. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing PgNHX1 developed more extensive root system and completed their life cycle by setting flowers and seeds in the presence of 150 mM NaCl. Our data demonstrate the potential of PgNHX1 for imparting enhanced salt tolerance capabilities to salt-sensitive crop plants for growing in high saline areas.
authors.affiliation: Plant Molecular Biology, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 10067, India.
authors.forename: Dheeraj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Sneh L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Singla-Pareek
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rajagopal
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sopory
mesh_terms: D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018525:Germination; D012275:Oryza / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D031782:Pennisetum / Q000235:genetics*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020033:Protein Isoforms; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; D012965:Sodium Chloride