title: A banana aquaporin gene, MaPIP1;1, is involved in tolerance to drought and salt stresses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aquaporin (AQP) proteins function in transporting water and other small molecules through the biological membranes, which is crucial for plants to survive in drought or salt stress conditions. However, the precise role of AQPs in drought and salt stresses is not completely understood in plants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, we have identified a PIP1 subfamily AQP (MaPIP1;1) gene from banana and characterized it by overexpression in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Transient expression of MaPIP1;1-GFP fusion protein indicated its localization at plasma membrane. The expression of MaPIP1;1 was induced by NaCl and water deficient treatment. Overexpression of MaPIP1;1 in Arabidopsis resulted in an increased primary root elongation, root hair numbers and survival rates compared to WT under salt or drought conditions. Physiological indices demonstrated that the increased salt tolerance conferred by MaPIP1;1 is related to reduced membrane injury and high cytosolic K+/Na+ ratio. Additionally, the improved drought tolerance conferred by MaPIP1;1 is associated with decreased membrane injury and improved osmotic adjustment. Finally, reduced expression of ABA-responsive genes in MaPIP1;1-overexpressing plants reflects their improved physiological status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrated that heterologous expression of banana MaPIP1;1 in Arabidopsis confers salt and drought stress tolerances by reducing membrane injury, improving ion distribution and maintaining osmotic balance.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Juhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jianbin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Caihong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Hongxia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.affiliation: Hainan Key Laboratory of Banana Genetic Improvement, Haikou Experimental Station, Institute of Banana, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Yilong W Road, 2, Longhua County, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570102, People's Republic of China. biyuxu@126.com.
authors.forename: Biyu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D020346:Aquaporins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055864:Droughts; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D028521:Musa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D020346:Aquaporins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012965:Sodium Chloride