Yeast plasma membrane Ena1p ATPase alters alkali-cation homeostasis and confers increased salt tolerance in tobacco cultured cells

In plants, the plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) antiporter is the only key enzyme that extrudes cytosolic Na(+) and contributes to salt tolerance. But in fungi, the plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) antiporter and Na(+)-ATPase are known to be key enzymes for salt tolerance. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ena1p ATPase encoded by the ENA1/PMR2A gene is primarily responsible for Na(+) and Li(+) efflux across the plasma membrane during salt stress and for K(+) efflux at high pH and high K(+). To test if the yeast ATPase would improve salt tolerance in plants, we expressed a triple hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged Ena1p (Ena1p-3HA) in cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cv Bright Yellow 2 (BY2) cells. The Ena1p-3HA proteins were correctly localized to the plasma membrane of transgenic BY2 cells and conferred increased NaCl and LiCl tolerance to the cells. Under moderate salt stress conditions, the Ena1p-3HA-expressing BY2 clones accumulated lower levels of Na(+) and Li(+) than nonexpressing BY2 clones. Moreover, the Ena1p-3HA expressing BY2 clones accumulated lower levels of K(+) than nonexpressing cells under no-stress conditions. These results suggest that the yeast Ena1p can also function as an alkali-cation (Na(+), Li(+), and K(+)) ATPase and alter alkali-cation homeostasis in plant cells. We conclude that, even with K(+)-ATPase activity, Na(+)-ATPase activity of the yeast Ena1p confers increased salt tolerance to plant cells during salt stress.     

Structural and functional analyses of PpENA1 provide insights into cation binding by type IID P-type ATPases in lower plants and fungi

PpENA1 is a membrane-spanning transporter from the moss Physcomitrella patens, and is the first type IID P-type ATPase to be reported in the plant kingdom. In Physcomitrella, PpENA1 is essential for normal growth under moderate salt stress, while in yeast, type IID ATPases provide a vital efflux mechanism for cells under high salt conditions by selectively transporting Na+ or K+ across the plasma membrane. To investigate the structural basis for cation-binding within the type IID ATPase subfamily, we used homology modeling to identify a highly conserved cation-binding pocket between membrane helix (MH) 4 and MH 6 of the membrane-spanning pore of PpENA1. Mutation of specific charged and polar residues on MHs 4-6 resulted in a decrease or loss of protein activity as measured by complementation assays in yeast. The E298S mutation on MH 4 of PpENA1 had the most significant effect on activity despite the presence of a serine at this position in fungal type IID ATPases. Activity was partially restored in an inactivated PpENA1 mutant by the insertion of two additional serine residues on MH 4 and one on MH 6 based on the presence of these residues in fungal type IID ATPases. Our results suggest that the residues responsible for cation-binding in PpENA1 are distinct from those in fungal type IID ATPases, and that a fungal-type cation binding site can be successfully engineered into the moss protein.     

Arabidopsis fatty acid desaturase FAD2 is required for salt tolerance during seed germination and early seedling growth

Fatty acid desaturases play important role in plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, their exact function in plant resistance to salt stress is unknown. In this work, we provide the evidence that FAD2, an endoplasmic reticulum localized ω-6 desaturase, is required for salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Using vacuolar and plasma membrane vesicles prepared from the leaves of wild-type (Col-0) and the loss-of-function Arabidopsis mutant, fad2, which lacks the functional FAD2, we examined the fatty acid composition and Na+-dependent H+ movements of the isolated vesicles. We observed that, when compared to Col-0, the level of vacuolar and plasma membrane polyunsaturation was lower, and the Na+/H+ exchange activity was reduced in vacuolar and plasma membrane vesicles isolated from fad2 mutant. Consistent with the reduced Na+/H+ exchange activity, fad2 accumulated more Na+ in the cytoplasm of root cells, and was more sensitive to salt stress during seed germination and early seedling growth, as indicated by CoroNa-Green staining, net Na+ efflux and salt tolerance analyses. Our results suggest that FAD2 mediated high-level vacuolar and plasma membrane fatty acid desaturation is essential for the proper function of membrane attached Na+/H+ exchangers, and thereby to maintain a low cytosolic Na+ concentration for salt tolerance during seed germination and early seedling growth in Arabidopsis.     

Herbivore exposure alters ion fluxes and improves salt tolerance in a desert shrub

Plants have evolved complex mechanisms that allow them to withstand multiple environmental stresses, including biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we investigated the interaction between herbivore exposure and salt stress of Ammopiptanthus nanus, a desert shrub. We found that jasmonic acid (JA) was involved in plant responses to both herbivore attack and salt stress, leading to an increased NaCl stress tolerance for herbivore-pretreated plants and increase in K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in roots. Further evidence revealed the mechanism by which herbivore improved plant NaCl tolerance. Herbivore pretreatment reduced K⁺ efflux and increased Na⁺ efflux in plants subjected to long-term, short-term, or transient NaCl stress. Moreover, herbivore pretreatment promoted H⁺ efflux by increasing plasma membrane H⁺-adenosine triphosphate (ATP)ase activity. This H⁺ efflux creates a transmembrane proton motive force that drives the Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter to expel excess Na⁺ into the external medium. In addition, high cytosolic Ca²⁺ was observed in the roots of herbivore-treated plants exposed to NaCl, and this effect may be regulated by H⁺-ATPase. Taken together, herbivore exposure enhance s A. nanus tolerance to salt stress by activating the JA-signalling pathway, increasing plasma membrane H ⁺ - ATPase activity, promoting cytosolic Ca²⁺ accumulation, and then restricting K⁺ leakage and reducing Na⁺ accumulation in the cytosol.     

质膜Na^＋／H^＋逆向转运蛋白与植物耐盐性

土壤盐碱化是造成农作物减产的主要原因之一。质膜Na^＋／H^＋逆向转运蛋白能够介导植物根部Na^＋的外排和体内Na^＋的长距离运输, 并能够调控细胞K＋的稳态平衡及细胞内pH值和Ca^2＋的转运, 因此其在植物耐盐性方面具有重要作用。该文概述了植物质膜Na^＋／H^＋逆向转运蛋白的分子结构、功能、表达调控及其与植物耐盐性关系等方面的研究进展, 并对今后有关该蛋白的主要研究方向作了分析和展望。     

The cyclic nucleotide-gated channel, AtCNGC10, influences salt tolerance in Arabidopsis

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) in the plasma membrane transport K+ and other cations; however, their roles in the response and adaptation of plants to environmental salinity are unclear. Growth, cation contents, salt tolerance and K+ fluxes were assessed in wild-type and two AtCNGC10 antisense lines (A2 and A3) of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Compared with the wild-type, mature plants of both antisense lines had altered K+ and Na+ concentrations in shoots and were more sensitive to salt stress, as assessed by biomass and Chl fluorescence. The shoots of A2 and A3 plants contained higher Na+ concentrations and significantly higher Na+/K+ ratios compared with wild-type, whereas roots contained higher K+ concentrations and lower Na+/K+ ratios. Four-day-old seedlings of both antisense lines exposed to salt stress had smaller Na+/K+ ratios and longer roots than the wild-type. Under sudden salt treatment, the Na+ efflux was higher and the K+ efflux was smaller in the antisense lines, indicating that AtCNGC10 might function as a channel providing Na+ influx and K+ efflux at the root/soil interface. We conclude that the AtCNGC10 channel is involved in Na+ and K+ transport during cation uptake in roots and in long-distance transport, such as phloem loading and/or xylem retrieval. Mature A2 and A3 plants became more salt sensitive than wild-type plants because of impaired photosynthesis induced by a higher Na+ concentration in the leaves.     

植物Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白研究进展

盐胁迫主要由Na 引起,过高的Na 浓度引起的离子毒害,渗透胁迫和K ／Na 比率的不平衡使植物新陈代谢异常,这是对大多数器官造成伤害的原因。植物抵御盐胁迫的主要方式是将细胞内过多的Na 从质膜向细胞外排放和将Na 在液泡中区隔化,这一过程是由Na ／H 逆向转运蛋白完成的。本文概述了植物中Na ／H 逆向转运蛋白的发现、特征、分子生物学方面的研究,以及Na ／H 逆向转运蛋白在植物耐盐性中的重要作用。     

植物Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白研究进展

盐胁迫主要由Na+引起,过高的Na+浓度引起的离子毒害,渗透胁迫和K+/Na+比率的不平衡使植物新陈代谢异常,这是对大多数器官造成伤害的原因。植物抵御盐胁迫的主要方式是将细胞内过多的Na+从质膜向细胞外排放和将Na+在液泡中区隔化,这一过程是由Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白完成的。本文概述了植物中Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白的发现、特征、分子生物学方面的研究,以及Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白在植物耐盐性中的重要作用。     

ATPase与植物抗盐性

本文综述了高等植物细胞ATPase在盐胁迫下的活性变化及其调控机制。V型H+_ATPase与细胞离子区隔化和植物抗盐性密切相关。盐胁迫提高抗盐植物液泡膜H+_ATPase活性,主要是通过增加V型H+_ATPase主要功能亚基的基因表达以及蛋白质合成。盐胁迫通常降低质膜H+-ATPase活性,很可能是由于酶蛋白质合成受阻,质膜H+-ATPase活性的变化与盐胁迫的强度和时间长短有关。此外,本文还对ABA和Ca2+-CaM等胁迫信号物质对ATPase活性的调控及其与植物抗盐性的关系进行了总结。研究ATPase对盐胁迫的响应和调控机制,有助于阐明植物的盐生境适应机制,也有利于植物的抗盐育种工作。     

ATPase 与植物抗盐性

 本文综述了高等植物细胞ATPase在盐胁迫下的活性变化及其调控机制。V型H+_ATPase与细胞离子区隔化和植物抗盐性密切相关。盐胁迫提高抗盐植物液泡膜H+_ATPase活性, 主要是通过增加V型H+_ATPase主要功能亚基的基因表达以及蛋白质合成。盐胁迫通常降低质膜H+-ATPase活性, 很可能是由于酶蛋白质合成受阻, 质膜H+-ATPase活性的变化与盐胁迫的强度和时间长短有关。此外, 本 文还对ABA和Ca2+-CaM等胁迫信号物质对ATPase活性的调控及其与植物抗盐性的关系进行了总结。研究ATPase对盐胁迫的响应和调控机制, 有助于阐明植物的盐生境适应机制, 也有利于植物的抗盐育种工作。     

Exogenously supplied compatible solutes rapidly ameliorate NaCl-induced potassium efflux from barley roots

It has been suggested that the role of compatible solutes in plant stress responses is not limited to conventional osmotic adjustment, but also includes some other regulatory or osmoprotective functions. In this study, we hypothesized that one such function is in maintaining cytosolic K+ homeostasis by preventing NaCl-induced K+ leakage from the cell, a feature that may confer salt tolerance in many species, particularly in barley. This hypothesis was investigated using the non-invasive microelectrode ion flux (MIFE) measuring technique. We show that low (0.5-5 mM) concentrations of exogenously supplied proline or betaine significantly reduced NaCl-induced K+ efflux from barley roots in a dose-response manner. This effect was instantaneous, implying that large intracellular concentrations of compatible solutes are not required for an amelioratory role. Exogenously supplied betaine also significantly enhanced NaCl-induced H+ efflux, but only in pre-incubated roots, implying some alternative mechanism of regulation. Sap K+ and Na+ analysis and membrane potential measurements are also consistent with the model that one function of compatible solutes is in maintaining cytosolic K+ homeostasis by preventing NaCl-induced K+ leakage from the cell, possibly through the enhanced activity of H+-ATPase, controlling voltage-dependent outward-rectifying K+ channels and creating the electrochemical gradient necessary for secondary ion transport processes. These data provide the first direct evidence for regulation of ion fluxes across the plasma membrane by physiologically relevant low concentrations of compatible solutes.     

高等植物Na+ 吸收、转运及细胞内Na+ 稳态平衡研究进展

盐胁迫是影响农业生产的重要环境因素之一。本文对植物Na+吸收的机制和途径、Na+在植物体内的长距离转运以及细胞内Na+稳态平衡的研究进展进行了概述。参与植物Na+吸收与转运的蛋白和通道可能包括HKT、LCT1、AKT和NSCC等。其中, HKT是植物体内普遍存在的一类转运蛋白, 能够介导Na+的吸收, 其结构中的带电氨基酸残基对于其离子选择性有着非常明显的影响。LCT1是从小麦中发现的一类能够介导低亲和性阳离子吸收的蛋白, 然而在典型的土壤Ca2+浓度下LCT1并不能发挥吸收Na+的功能。AKT家族的成员在高盐环境下可能也参与了Na+的吸收。目前虽然还没有克隆到编码NSCC蛋白的基因, 但是NSCC作为植物吸收Na+的主要途径的观点已被广泛接受。SOS1和HKT参与了Na+在根部与植株地上部的长距离转运过程, 它们在木质部和韧皮部的Na+装载和卸载中发挥重要作用, 从而影响植物的抗盐性。另外, 由质膜Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白SOS1、蛋白激酶SOS2以及Ca2+结合蛋白SOS3组成的SOS复合体对细胞的Na+稳态具有重要的调节作用, 单子叶和双子叶植物之间的这种调节机制在结构和功能上具有保守性。SOS复合体与其它位于质膜或液泡膜上的Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白以及H+泵一起调节着细胞的Na+稳态。     

Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白与植物耐盐性关系

Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白与植物的耐盐性有密切的关系。在高等植物体内,主要存在两种Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白,分别为位于细胞质膜上的逆向转运蛋白SOS1,以及存在于液泡膜上的AtNHX1。质膜Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白主要负责Na+ 的外排,液泡膜Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白主要负责把Na+ 区隔化入液泡。过量表达质膜Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白SOS1或液泡膜Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白AtNHX1能够明显提高植物的耐盐性。本文对植物中Na+/H+ 逆向转运蛋白及其与植物耐盐性之间的关系研究最新进展作一概述。     

Sodium transport and salt tolerance in plants

The ability of plant cells to maintain low cytosolic sodium concentrations is an essential process associated with the ability of plants to grow in high salt concentrations. Recent results have identified pathways for Na(+) entry, and the cloning of vacuolar Na(+)/H(+) antiporters has demonstrated the role of intracellular Na(+) compartmentation in plant salt tolerance.     

Na+/H+ exchange activity in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis

In plants, Na+/H+ exchangers in the plasma membrane are critical for growth in high levels of salt, removing toxic Na+ from the cytoplasm by transport out of the cell. The molecular identity of a plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger in Arabidopsis (SOS1) has recently been determined. In this study, immunological analysis provided evidence that SOS1 localizes to the plasma membrane of leaves and roots. To characterize the transport activity of this protein, purified plasma membrane vesicles were isolated from leaves of Arabidopsis. Na+/H+ exchange activity, monitored as the ability of Na to dissipate an established pH gradient, was absent in plants grown without salt. However, exchange activity was induced when plants were grown in 250 mm NaCl and increased with prolonged salt exposure up to 8 d. H+-coupled exchange was specific for Na, because chloride salts of other monovalent cations did not dissipate the pH gradient. Na+/H+ exchange activity was dependent on Na (substrate) concentration, and kinetic analysis indicated that the affinity (apparent Km) of the transporter for Na+ is 22.8 mm. Data from two experimental approaches supports electroneutral exchange (one Na+ exchanged for one proton): (a) no change in membrane potential was measured during the exchange reaction, and (b) Na+/H+ exchange was unaffected by the presence or absence of a membrane potential. Results from this research provide a framework for future studies into the regulation of the plant plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger and its relative contribution to the maintenance of cellular Na+ homeostasis during plant growth in salt.