title: NIMA-related kinase NEK6 affects plant growth and stress response in Arabidopsis.
abstract: The NIMA-related kinases (NEKs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases involved largely in cell cycle control in fungi, mammals and other eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis, NEK6 is involved in the regulation of epidermal cell morphogenesis. However, other roles of NEK6 in plants are less well understood. Here we report functions of NEK6 in plant growth, development and stress responses in Arabidopsis. NEK6 transcripts and proteins are induced by ethylene precursor ACC and salt stress. Expression of other NEK genes except NEK5 is also responsive to the two treatments. Overexpression and mutant analysis disclose that the NEK6 gene increases rosette growth, seed yield and lateral root formation. However, NEK6 appears to play a negative role in the control of seed size. The gene also promotes plant tolerance to salt stress and osmotic stress in its overexpressing plants. The NEK6 gene may achieve its function through suppression of ethylene biosynthesis and activation of CYCB1;1 and CYCA3;1 expression. Our present study reveals new functions of the NEK6 gene in plant growth and stress tolerance, and manipulation of NEK6 may improve important agronomic traits in crop plants.
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hao-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Rui-Ling
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Wang-Ke
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ming-Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Hong-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Biao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Shou-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jin-Song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D000072379:NIMA-Related Kinases; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010641:Phenotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055051:Salt-Tolerant Plants / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005030:Ethylenes; C036483:T-DNA; D008353:Mannitol; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C036216:ethylene; D011494:Protein Kinases; D000072379:NIMA-Related Kinases; C570508:Nek6 protein, Arabidopsis