Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a Na+/H+ antiporter gene from halophyte Spartina anglica

Authors

TAO LAN
YUANLIN DUAN
BIN WANG
YUANCHANG ZHOU
WEIREN WU

Abstract

Na^+/H^+ antiporters have been suggested to play important roles in salt tolerance in plants. English cordgrass (Spartina anglica) is a gramineous halophyte with very strong salt tolerance. It possesses salt glands in its stems and leaves, through which excess salt can be excreted. In this study, a vacuolar Na^+/H^+ antiporter homologous gene (temporarily named SaNHX1) was isolated from Spartina anglica by RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Southern blot analysis suggested that there might be 2 or 3 copies of the vacuolar Na^+/H^+ antiporter genes in the English cordgrass genome. Northern blot analysis showed that the expression of vacuolar Na^+/H^+ antiporter genes in English cordgrass is induced by salt stress. Overexpression of SaNHX1 driven by constitutive promoter Ubi-1 in rice significantly enhanced the salt tolerance of transgenic plants, validating the function of SaNHX1 and suggesting its value for the genetic improvement of salt tolerance in plants.

DOI

10.3906/tar-1003-2

Keywords

Halophyte, salt tolerance, SaNHX1, Spartina anglica, transgenic rice

First Page

535

Last Page

543

Recommended Citation

LAN, TAO; DUAN, YUANLIN; WANG, BIN; ZHOU, YUANCHANG; and WU, WEIREN (2011) "Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a Na+/H+ antiporter gene from halophyte Spartina anglica," Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry: Vol. 35: No. 5, Article 9. https://doi.org/10.3906/tar-1003-2
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/agriculture/vol35/iss5/9