The Salix psammophila SpRLCK1 involved in drought and salt tolerance

Journal Article · 01 November 2019 · Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.09.042 · OSTI ID:1569361

Jia, Huixia ^[1]; Li, Jianbo  ^[2]; Zhang, Jin ^[3]; Sun, Pei ^[1]; Lu, Mengzhu ^[1]; Hu, Jianjun  ^[1]

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1. Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing (China). Research Inst. of Forestry, Key Lab. of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, State Key Lab. of Tree Genetics and Breeding
2. Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing (China). Experimental Center of Forestry in North China
3. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Biosciences Division

Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) play critical roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants. However, the functions of RLCKs from the desert shrub willow Salix psammophila have not been characterized. Here, we focused on the biological function of SpRLCK1, which was previously identified as a potential drought-related gene. Phylogenetic analysis and subcellular localization revealed that SpRLCK1 was a cytoplasmic-localized protein with a protein kinase domain and belonged to the RLCK VIIa subclass. Gene expression profile revealed that SpRLCK1 was predominantly expressed in the root, being consistent with the GUS staining of pSpRLCK1:GUS transgenic plants. Additionally, the expression of SpRLCK1 was significantly induced by drought and salt stresses. To verify the function of SpRLCK1, we generated its overexpressing transgenic lines in Arabidopsis thaliana. The SpRLCK1-overexpressing plants exhibited higher tolerance to drought and salt stresses, as evidenced by the higher survival rate, relative water content and antioxidant enzyme activity than those of wild-type plants. The SpRLCK1-overexpressing plants enhanced drought and salt tolerance by improving ROS-scavenging activities. A co-expression network for SpRLCK1 was constructed, and the expression analysis indicated that SpRLCK1 regulated the expression of a series of stress-related genes. Ultimately, our results demonstrate that SpRLCK1 confers plant drought and salt tolerance through enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and cooperating with stress-related genes.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1569361
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Journal Name: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Journal Issue: C Vol. 144; ISSN 0981-9428
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English