title: A novel wheat α-amylase inhibitor gene, TaHPS, significantly improves the salt and drought tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis.
abstract: On the basis of microarray analyses of the salt-tolerant wheat mutant RH8706-49, a previously unreported salt-induced gene, designated as TaHPS [Triticum aestivum hypothetical (HPS)-like protein], was cloned. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that expression of the gene was induced by abscisic acid, salt and drought. The encoded protein was found to be localized mainly in the plasma membranes. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing TaHPS were more tolerant to salt and drought stresses than non-transgenic wild-type (WT) plants. Under salt stress, the root cells of the transgenic plants secreted more Na⁺ and guard cells took up more Ca²⁺ ions. Compared with wild-type plants, TaHPS-expressing transgenic plants showed significantly lower amylase activity and glucose and malic acid levels. Our results showed that the expression of TaHPS inhibited amylase activity, which subsequently led to a closure of stomatal apertures and thus improved plant tolerance to salt and drought.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science of Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yinzhu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Zhanjing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000040:Abscisic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D055864:Droughts; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008293:Malates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D054046:Plant Stomata / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D008293:Malates; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; C060586:WDAI-3 protein, Triticum aestivum; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000040:Abscisic Acid; C030298:malic acid; D005947:Glucose