Comparative expression analysis of three genes from the Arabidopsis vacuolar Na^＋/H^＋ antiporter （AtNHX） family in relation to abiotic stresses

Na~ /H~ antiporters (NHX) are ubiquitous transmembrane proteins that play a key role in salt tolerance of plants. In this study, the sequence of 3 Arabidopsis NHX gene (AtNHX2―4) were compared with other AtNHX members. Putative cis-elements analysis identified elements that have been associated with stress responses. The activities of the promoters AtNHX2―4 were studied in transgenic plants carrying corresponding promoter-β-glucuronidase (GUS) fusions. The AtNHX2 promoter-GUS analysis indicated that AtNHX2 was expressed in constitutive pattern with high GUS activity in roots and leaves. AtNHX2 promoter activity was not up-regulated by NaCl or abscisic acid (ABA), in contrast to the AtNHX1 promoter which was previously studied. The AtNHX3 and AtNHX4 promoters showed tissue-specific activities. Strong GUS activity was detected in roots and vascular bundles of the stele in plants carry-ing an AtNHX4 promoter-GUS fusion, and GUS activity increased under salt stress suggesting a func-tion related to salt tolerance. Transgenic plants carrying the AtNHX3 promoter-GUS fusion showed strong GUS activity in petals, stamens and tops of siliques, suggesting a possible role of AtNHX3 in flower and seed development. Results of histochemical analysis suggested that AtNHX2―4 are involved in divergent functions and are differentially regulated under abiotic stress. The structure of AtNHX4 was predicted to include 12 transmembrane regions and a NHX domain. Overexpression of AtNHX4 in Arabidopsis transgenic lines confers greater salt tolerance than in wild type plants. These results suggest that AtNHX4 may encode a putative vacuolar NHX that plays an important role in salt tolerance.     

Introduction of AtNHX1 into beet improved salt-tolerance of transgenic plants

AtNHX1 gene encoding the Na ^＋/H ^＋ antiport on the vacuole membrane of Arabidopsis was transferred into small bud tips of 1-3mm in length derived from immature inflorescence cultures of six genotypes of beet （ Beta vulgaris L. ） by the infection of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and transgenic plants with improved salt-tolerance were obtained. When transgenic plants at 5-leaf stage were potted in sand and irrigated with solutions containing a range of concentrations of NaCl （171-513mM）, they showed minor symptoms of damage from salinity and better tolerance than the controls. There were considerable discrepancies of salt-tolerance between transgenic plants originated from the same genotype and also between different genotypes. After vernalization, bolting transgenic plants were enveloped with two layers of gauzes for self-pollination. T1 seedlings tolerant to 342-427mM NaCl were obtained respectively. These results revealed that it was feasible to improve salt-tolerance of beets by the introduction of AtNHX1 gene into cultured bud cells.     

Characterization of Arabidopsis calreticulin mutants in response to calcium and salinity stresses

As an important calcium-binding protein, calreticulin plays an important role in regulating calcium homeostasis in endoplasmic reticulum （ER） of plants. Here, we identified three loss-of-function mutants of calreticulin genes in Arabidopsis to demonstrate the function of calreticulin in response to calcium and salinity stresses. There are three genes encoding calreticulin in Arabidopsis, and they are named AtCRT1, 2, and 3, respectively. We found that both single mutant of crt3 and double mutant of crtl crt2 were more sensitive to low calcium environment than wild-type Arabidopsis. Moreover, crt3 mutant showed more sensitivity to salt treatment at germination stage, but tolerance to salt stress at later stage compared with wild-type plant. However, there was no obvious growth difference in the mutant crtl and crt2 compared with wild-type Arabidopsis under calcium and salt stresses. These results suggest that calreticulin functions in plant responses to calcium and salt stresses.     

The short C-terminal hydrophilic domain of NhaH Na~ /H~ antiporter from Halobacillus dabanensis with roles in resistance to salt and in pH sensing

The Na /H antiporter plays key roles in maintaining low cytoplasmic Na level and pH homeostasis,while little is known about the Carboxyl-terminal hydrophilic tails of prokaryotic antiporters.In our previous study,the first Na /H antiporter gene nhaH from moderate halophiles was cloned from Halo-bacillus dabanensis D-8 by functional complementation.A topological model suggested that only nine amino acid residues(395PLIKKLGMI403) existed in the hydrophilic C-terminal domain of NhaH.The C-terminal truncated mutant of NhaH was constructed by PCR strategy and designated as nhaH△C.Salt tolerance experiment demonstrated that the deletion of hydrophilic C-terminal nine amino acid resi-dues significantly inhibited the complementation ability of E.coli KNabc,in which three main Na /H antiporters nhaA,nhaB and chaA were deleted.Everted membrane vesicles prepared from E.coli KNabc/nhaH△C decreased both Na /H and Li /H exchange activities of NhaH,and also resulted in an acidic shift of its pH profile for Na ,indicating a critical role of the short C-terminal domain of NhaH antiporter in alkali cation binding/translocation and pH sensing.     

The short C-terminal hydrophilic domain of NhaH Na^＋/H^＋ antiporter from Halobacillus dabanensis with roles in resistance to salt and in pH sensing

The Na^＋/H^＋ antiporter plays key roles in maintaining low cytoplasmic NaNa^＋ level and pH homeostasis, while little is known about the Carboxyl-terminal hydrophilic tails of prokaryotic antiporters. In our previous study, the first Na^＋/H^＋ antiporter gene nhaH from moderate halophiles was cloned from Halobacillus dabanensis D-8 by functional complementation. A topological model suggested that only nine amino acid residues （^395PLIKKLGMI403） existed in the hydrophilic C-terminal domain of NhaH. The C-terminal truncated mutant of NhaH was constructed by PCR strategy and designated as nhaH△C. Salt tolerance experiment demonstrated that the deletion of hydrophilic C-terminal nine amino acid residues significantly inhibited the complementation ability of E. coil KNabc, in which three main Na^＋/H^＋ antiporters nhaA, nhaB and chaA were deleted. Everted membrane vesicles prepared from E. coil KNabc/nhaHAC decreased both Na^＋/H^＋ and Li^＋/H^＋ exchange activities of NhaH, and also resulted in an acidic shift of its pH profile for Na^＋, indicating a critical role of the short C-terminal domain of NhaH antiporter in alkali cation binding/translocation and pH sensing.     

Transformation of GbSGT1 gene into banana by an Agrobacterium-mediated approach

SGT1 is a homologue of the yeast ubiquitin ligase-associated protein. It controls some protein degradation and activates defense pathway in plants. Cotton GbSGT1 gene (Gossypium barbadense) has been isolated and characterized in previous work. In this study, the plant expression vector pBSGT1 with bar gene as a selection agent was constructed and transgenic banana was obtained via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with the assistance of particle bombardment and screened with PCR and Basta spreading on banana plant leaves. Estimating of transgenic banana plants for resistance to Panama wilt is in progress.     

Salt tolerance conferred by over-expression of OsNHX1 gene in Poplar 84K

OsNHX1 gene (Na^＋/H^＋ antiporter gene of Oryza sativa L.) was introduced into Poplar 84K with Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. PCR, Southern and Northern blot analysis showed that OsNHX1 gene was incorporated successfully into the genome of Poplar 84K and expressed in these transgenic plants. Salt tolerance test showed that three lines of transgenic plants grew normally in the presence of 2OO mmol/L NaCI, while the Na^＋ content in the leaves of the transgenic plants grown at 2OO mmol/L NaCl was significantly higher than that in plants grown at 0mmol/L NaCI. The osmotic potential in the transgenic plants with high salinity treatment was lower than that of control plants. Our results demonstrate the potential use of these transgenic plants for agricultural use in saline soils.     

Involvement of a cytoplasmic glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase GapC-2 in low-phosphate- induced anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis

Phosphorous is one of the essential mineral elements for plant growth and development.Typically, the shoots of plant seedlings usually turn a dark-brown or purple colour under low-Pi stress. Using protein 2-D gel and peptide mass fingerprinting mapping (PMF) methods, a cytoplasmic glyceralde-hyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase GapC-2 was identified as a low-Pi responsive protein in Arabidopsisplants. Expression of AtGapC-2 protein was significantly decreased after 4 d of low-Pi stress. Two in-dependent T-DNA insertion lines of GapC-2 gene (At1g13440) showed a hypersensitive phenotype inresponse to low-Pi stress compared with wild type plants, while the transgenic complementation linesof the mutants showed a similar phenotype to the wild type. These results indicate that AtGapC-2 mayplay an important role in Arabidopsis responses to low-Pi stress, possibly by regulation of glycoly-sis-associated "Pi-pool" and accumulation of anthocyanin pigments in plants.     

Over-expression of an Arabi-dopsisd δ-OAT gene enhances salt and drought tolerance in transgenic rice

δ-OAT, ornithine-δ-aminotransferase, is the key enzyme involved in proline biosynthesis. In this study the Arabidopsis δ-OAT gene was transferred into rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp japonica cv. Zhongzuo 321), whose successful integration was demonstrated by PCR and Southern blot analysis. The over-expression of the gene in transgenic rice was also confirmed. Biochemical analysis showed that, under salt or drought stress conditions, proline contents in the leaves and roots in transgenic rice plants were 5- to 15-fold of those in non-transgenic controls. Under stress conditions, germinating rate of transgenic lines is higher than that of controls. Although the growth of rice plants tested were more and more retarded with the increasing of NaCI concentration, the transgenic plants grow faster compared to the controls under the same stress condition. Meanwhile, the resistance to KCl and MgSO4 stresses was also found enhanced in transgenie rice. Furthermore, the over-expression of δ-OAT also improved the yield of transgenic plants under stress conditions. The average yield per plant of transgenic lines increases about 12%--41% more than that of control line sunder 0.1 mol/L NaCI stress. These data indicated that the over-expression of δ-OAT, with the accumulation of proline, resulted in the enhancement of salt and drought tolerance and an increase of rice yield, which is of significance in agriculture.     

Stable expression of Arabidopsis vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter gene AtNHX1, and salt tolerance in transgenic soybean for over six generations

The Arabidopsis vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter gene,AtNHX1,was introduced into soybean by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.Four independent kanamycin resistant lines were obtained.The result of PCR,Southern blotting and Northern blotting analyses demonstrated that the AtNHX1 gene was successfully inserted into the soybean genome and stably expressed in these kanamycin resistant lines.The stability of AtNHX1 expression and salt resistance were evaluated in the soybean transformants for over 6 generations.Tw...     

Studies on the overexpression of the soybean GmNHX1 in Lotus corniculatus： The reduced Na^＋ level is the basis of the increased salt tolerance

Soil salinity is one of the major factors reducing plant growth and productivity. The detrimental effects of salt on plants are a consequence of both a water deficit resulting in osmotic stress and the excess so- dium ions on critical biochemical processe…     

转AlNHX1基因大豆后代遗传稳定性及耐盐性分析

为了获得耐盐性有所提高的转AlNHX1基因大豆后代材料,以已获得的转AlNHX1基因的6个株系中的3个株系后代为研究对象,通过分别对这3个株系转基因大豆各后代进行PCR分子检测并结合耐盐性鉴定,以分析外源基因在转基因大豆中遗传稳定性和耐盐性.结果表明:AlNHX1基因在转基因植株的后代中遗传;选取3个株系中部分阳性植株做耐盐性检测,结果表明:转基因大豆耐盐性状均好于野生型大豆.在150mmol/L NaCl胁迫下,转基因大豆叶片中维持了相对较高的K+/Na+比值,相对含水量较野生型提高了9%,而渗透势降低了39%,表明转基因大豆具有较好的吸水和保水能力;在盐胁迫下,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)与过氧化物酶(POD)活性较野生型大豆分别提高了45%与69%.综上,通过耐盐筛选获得的转AlNHX1基因大豆具有较强的耐盐性.     

Structure of a Na+/H+ antiporter and insights into mechanism of action and regulation by pH

The control by Na+/H+ antiporters of sodium/proton concentration and cell volume is crucial for the viability of all cells. Adaptation to high salinity and/or extreme pH in plants and bacteria or in human heart muscles requires the action of Na+/H+ antiporters. Their activity is tightly controlled by pH. Here we present the crystal structure of pH-downregulated NhaA, the main antiporter of Escherichia coli and many enterobacteria. A negatively charged ion funnel opens to the cytoplasm and ends in the middle of the membrane at the putative ion-binding site. There, a unique assembly of two pairs of short helices connected by crossed, extended chains creates a balanced electrostatic environment. We propose that the binding of charged substrates causes an electric imbalance, inducing movements, that permit a rapid alternating-access mechanism. This ion-exchange machinery is regulated by a conformational change elicited by a pH signal perceived at the entry to the cytoplasmic funnel.     

低盐胁迫对坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)离子转运的影响

从离子实时动态转运的角度出发,分析坛紫菜应答低盐胁迫的策略.研究结果表明:1)坛紫菜在正常状态下吸收K+、Na+以维持自身稳态;在低盐胁迫下,坛紫菜藻体的Na+显著外排,以积极应对外界低渗环境,同时,藻体的K+虽然有一定流失,但显著低于高盐胁迫条件下的K+外排幅度,使坛紫菜能够维持较高的K+/Na+,从而保证坛紫菜可以...     

OsNHX1基因转化84K杨的研究

采用农杆菌介导的方法开展了水稻Na /H 逆向转运蛋白基因OsNHX1转化84K杨的研究.建立了84K杨的叶外植体高频再生系统,经诱导不定芽及诱导生根阶段卡那霉素连续筛选,获得了大量卡那霉素抗性转化植株.PCR检测和Southern杂交检测表明,OsNHX1基因已成功整合到84K杨基因组.耐盐实验表明,转基因植株能在200 mmol NaCl条件下正常生长.     

转海蓬子Na+/H+逆向运输蛋白基因番茄的耐盐性研究

以转海蓬子Na /H 逆向运输蛋白基因(Nhap)的番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)阳性植株和对照植株为材料,测定叶片相对含水量、质膜透性、K /Na 比值和叶绿素含量4项耐盐指标.结果表明:在盐胁迫条件下,转基因植株的相对含水量、 K /Na 比值和叶绿素含量明显高于对照植株,而叶片质膜透性明显低于对照植株,说明Nhap基因已经在番茄转化植株体内表达,提高了转基因植株的耐盐性.     

大豆GmNHX3基因克隆及遗传转化载体的构建

利用RACE(rapid amplification of cDNA end)方法, 以大豆叶片提取总的RNA为模板克隆了大豆Na⁺/H⁺逆向转运蛋白（Glycine max Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter, GmNHX）基因, 并将其连接到表达载体PBI121中, 构建重组表达载体PBI121 NHX3. 分析结果表明： 该基因的ORF为1 503 bp, 推测编码501个氨基酸. 与所选取的10种植物同类蛋白氨基酸序列进行对比, 一致性为72%～94%, 并具有真核生物单价阳离子(氢离子)反向转运蛋白典型的结构域, 将该基因命名为GmNHX3, GenBank接收号为JN872904. 通过PCR和酶切鉴定, PBI121 NHX3构建成功.