Physiological and Biochemical Responses Reveal the Drought Tolerance Efficacy of the Halophyte Salicornia brachiata

The drought tolerance of Salicornia brachiata seedlings was assessed by monitoring growth, nutrient uptake, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and biochemical responses under drought conditions simulated with 0, 10, 20, and 30 % polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). After 7 days of drought induction, plants were harvested for measurement of various parameters. The biomass decreased and the plant height remained unchanged with PEG treatment. The total plant water content (TWC%) decreased by 11 % at the highest concentration of PEG (30 %). The electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation of shoots increased by 17 and 5 %, respectively, in 30 % PEG-treated plants. K⁺ and Ca²⁺ contents of shoots increased in a dose-dependent manner. However, in roots K⁺ content decreased and Ca²⁺ content remained unaffected by PEG treatment. Mg²⁺ content increased at high concentrations of PEG (20–30 %) in shoots and decreased at the highest concentration of PEG (30 %) in roots. Total free amino acids, proline, and polyphenol contents increased progressively with increase in severity of the drought stress. Total sugar content and reducing sugar content increased in 10 and 20 % PEG-treated plants and decreased in 30 % PEG-treated plants. Our results suggest that proline and other free amino acids, sugars, and polyphenols are the main compatible solutes in S. brachiata for maintenance of osmotic balance, protection of cellular macromolecules, detoxification of the cells, and scavenging of free radicals under drought stress. A greater accumulation of compatible solutes also facilitates the maintenance of nutrient uptake and adequate tissue water status and protection of membranes under drought conditions in S. brachiata. The results from the present study suggest that S. brachiata can be used for restoration of arid and semiarid lands of coastal ecosystems.     

ERF类转录因子OPBP1基因的超表达提高烟草的耐盐能力

ERF是植物中的一类重要的转录因子,参与调节植物的生长,发育以及抗胁迫等过程,对一烟草OPBP1基因（属于ERF类基因）的烟草转化,获得了该基因超表达的植株,转基因植株明显地增加了耐盐能力,Northern杂交结果表明,OPBP1基因有不同程度的表达,而且表达丰度与其耐盐性有一定的正相关性,凝胶阻滞实验结果证明OPBP1融合蛋白能特异地与含GCC盒的DNA序列结合,这些结果说明OPBP1基因可能作为一转录因子来调节烟草耐盐相关的基因。     

转LEA基因烟草的耐盐性分析

目的:验证柽柳LEA基因的功能,为通过基因工程手段培育耐盐植物提供基础资料。方法:对转LEA基因烟草当代(T0)和子一代(T1)分别进行不同浓度的NaCl胁迫处理,研究转基因烟草的耐盐性。结果:转基因烟草T0代组培苗耐受NaCl的临界浓度为230mmol/L,而对照耐受NaCl的临界浓度为130mmol/L以下;T1代幼苗耐受NaCl的临界浓度为150mmol/L,对照耐受NaCl的临界浓度为100mmol/L以下;在临界浓度转基因烟草的T0代、T1代根系发育良好,生长量明显高于非转基因对照烟草。结论:柽柳LEA基因的转化提高了烟草的耐盐性。     

The SbMT-2 Gene from a Halophyte Confers Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Modulates ROS Scavenging in Transgenic Tobacco

Heavy metals are common pollutants of the coastal saline area and Salicornia brachiata an extreme halophyte is frequently exposed to various abiotic stresses including heavy metals. The SbMT-2 gene was cloned and transformed to tobacco for the functional validation. Transgenic tobacco lines (L2, L4, L6 and L13) showed significantly enhanced salt (NaCl), osmotic (PEG) and metals (Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺ and Cd⁺⁺) tolerance compared to WT plants. Transgenic lines did not show any morphological variation and had enhanced growth parameters viz. shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight. High seed germination percentage, chlorophyll content, relative water content, electrolytic leakage and membrane stability index confirmed that transgenic lines performed better under salt (NaCl), osmotic (PEG) and metals (Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺ and Cd⁺⁺) stress conditions compared to WT plants. Proline, H₂O₂ and lipid peroxidation (MDA) analyses suggested the role of SbMT-2 in cellular homeostasis and H₂O₂ detoxification. Furthermore in vivo localization of H₂O₂ and O₂ ⁻; and elevated expression of key antioxidant enzyme encoding genes, SOD, POD and APX evident the possible role of SbMT-2 in ROS scavenging/detoxification mechanism. Transgenic lines showed accumulation of Cu⁺⁺ and Cd⁺⁺ in root while Zn⁺⁺ in stem under stress condition. Under control (unstressed) condition, Zn⁺⁺ was accumulated more in root but accumulation of Zn⁺⁺ in stem under stress condition suggested that SbMT-2 may involve in the selective translocation of Zn⁺⁺ from root to stem. This observation was further supported by the up-regulation of zinc transporter encoding genes NtZIP1 and NtHMA-A under metal ion stress condition. The study suggested that SbMT-2 modulates ROS scavenging and is a potential candidate to be used for phytoremediation and imparting stress tolerance.     

Developing Transgenic Jatropha Using the SbNHX1 Gene from an Extreme Halophyte for Cultivation in Saline Wasteland

Jatropha is an important second-generation biofuel plant. Salinity is a major factor adversely impacting the growth and yield of several plants including Jatropha. SbNHX1 is a vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter gene that compartmentalises excess Na⁺ ions into the vacuole and maintains ion homeostasis. We have previously cloned and characterised the SbNHX1 gene from an extreme halophyte, Salicornia brachiata. Transgenic plants of Jatropha curcas with the SbNHX1 gene were developed using microprojectile bombardment mediated transformation. Integration of the transgene was confirmed by PCR and Rt-PCR and the copy number was determined by real time qPCR. The present study of engineering salt tolerance in Jatropha is the first report to date. Salt tolerance of the transgenic lines JL2, JL8 and JL19 was confirmed by leaf senescence assay, chlorophyll estimation, plant growth, ion content, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content analysis. Transgenic lines showed better salt tolerance than WT up to 200 mM NaCl. Imparting salt tolerance to Jatropha using the SbNHX1 gene may open up the possibility of cultivating it in marginal salty land, releasing arable land presently under Jatropha cultivation for agriculture purposes. Apart from this, transgenic Jatropha can be cultivated with brackish water, opening up the possibility of sustainable cultivation of this biofuel plant in salty coastal areas.     

过表达谷胱甘肽合成酶基因增强烟草对镉的耐受性

随着工业的发展,土壤污染问题愈发严重,利用基因工程修复土壤技术备受青睐,因此,开发重金属应答中的限速酶基因,将为植物修复重金属污染的土壤提供可应用的基因资源.通过RT-PCR及末端克隆方法获得枸杞谷胱甘肽合成酶 (Lycium chinense,Glutathione synthetase,LcGS>) 基因,采用半定量RT-PCR分析了枸杞LcGS在不同时间镉(Cd)胁迫下表达量的变化,LcGS表达量随着胁迫时间的延长而增强,胁迫9h、12h和24h 后LcGS表达量维持在较高水平.同时构建了植物双元表达载体pCAMBIA2300-LcGS,通过农杆菌介导的方法将LcGS基因转入烟草,PCR证明了LcGS基因成功整合到烟草基因组中,在Cd处理条件下,转基因植株谷胱甘肽 (glutathione,GSH)、植物螯合肽(phytochelatins,PCs)和叶绿素含量比对照组明显高,即转基因植株对重金属的耐逆性比对照组更强,因此,过表达GS植物将是植物修复重金属污染的一个有效策略.     

山菠菜EREBP／AP2类DNA结合蛋白基因的克隆及其耐逆性研究

EREBP/AP2类蛋白是一个仅存在于植物中的DNA结合蛋白（DBP）大家族,其中一些成员如SPETALA2和AtDREB/CBF分别调控花的发育和植物对环境胁迫的反应,为了阐明在植物响应盐胁迫过程中所涉及的转录因子的特点,用高盐浓度处理盐生植物山菠菜,构建了cDNA文库。并从此文库中分离得到了一个编码EREBP/AP2类蛋白的基因,此cDNA包含一个723bp的开放读码框和一个长达655bp的3′端非编码区,推导的氨基酸序列显示基有一个保守的EREBP/AP2的DNA结合域,此基因被命名为AhDREB1,将AhDREB1置于CaMV35S启动子下转入烟草,获得9个独立的转基因株系,对其进行了长期的盐胁迫实验。结果显示。AhDREB1的组成性表达显著提高了转基因烟草的耐盐能力。这可能是由于其激活了一些具有抗盐效应的下游基因。通过与拟南芥的全基因组进行同源性比较8得到了具有较高相似性的7个EREBP/AP2家族成员,二级结构预测显示了它们在DNA结合区段的α螺旋结构上具有相似性。     

山菠菜EREBP/AP2类DNA结合蛋白基因的克隆及其耐逆性研究

EREBP/AP2类蛋白是一个仅存在于植物中的DNA结合蛋白(DBP)大家族.其中一些成员如APETALA2和AtDREB/CBF分别调控花的发育和植物对环境胁迫的反应.为了阐明在植物响应盐胁迫过程中所涉及的转录因子的特点,用高盐浓度处理盐生植物山菠菜,构建了cDNA文库,并从此文库中分离得到了一个编码EREBP/AP2类蛋白的基因.此cDNA包含一个723bp的开放读码框和一个长达655bp的3＇端非编码区,推导的氨基酸序列显示其有一个保守的EREBP/AP2的DNA结合域,此基因被命名为AhDREB1.将AhDREB1置于CaMV 35S启动子下转入烟草,获得9个独立的转基因株系,对其进行了长期的盐胁迫实验.结果显示,AhDREB1的组成性表达显著提高了转基因烟草的耐盐能力,这可能是由于其激活了一些具有抗盐效应的下游基因.通过与拟南芥的全基因组进行同源性比较得到了具有较高相似性的7个EREBP/AP2家族成员,二级结构预测显示了它们在DNA结合区段的α螺旋结构上具有相似性.     

转HAL1基因番茄的耐盐性

利用农杆菌介导的叶盘法,把HAL1 基因转入番茄,Southern杂交检测得到转基因植株.耐盐实验表明, T1代转基因番茄在150 mmol/L的NaCl胁迫下仍有43%的发芽率,200 mmol/L的NaCl胁迫下发芽率为6%,而对照种子在100和150 mmol/L的NaCl胁迫下发芽率分别为11.0%和0.转基因番茄的电解质相对外渗率小于对照,而根冠比和叶绿素含量大于对照,转HAL1基因显著提高了番茄的耐盐性.盐胁迫下Na 、K 的累积状况表明,转基因番茄根、茎、叶的K /Na 均有所提高,根系的SK/Na增大,茎、叶的RSK/Na和RLK/Na减小,说明根系对K /Na 离子的选择吸收和运输能力加强.不但选择吸收K /Na ,而且表现出整株水平上的有利于耐盐的K /Na 区域化分配.     

榆钱菠菜脯氨酸转运蛋白基因的克隆及转基因拟南芥的耐盐性

脯氨酸是自然界中分布最广泛,作用最重要的渗透保护剂之一,同时又是高等植物中一类重要的碳源和氮源物质.为了解环境胁迫下脯氨酸的转运调节,从一个典型的盐生植物榆钱菠菜( Atriplex hortensis L.)中通过cDNA文库筛选和5′-RACE的方法获得了一个全长的cDNA (AhProT1),其编码蛋白与脯氨酸转运蛋白有60%～69%的同源性,含有11个跨膜结构域.聚类分析表明,微生物和高等植物的脯氨酸转运蛋白同源程度相对高于哺乳动物.为进一步分析脯氨酸转运蛋白在植物中的功能,将AhProT1置于35S启动子下转入拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana).通过同位素示踪法发现, 与对照植物相比, 转基因植物在根中积累更多的脯氨酸;在一系列不同浓度的盐胁迫试验中,转基因植株最高可耐受200 mmol/L NaCl,并可持续生长,而对照植株在150 mmol/L NaCl下即已死亡.     

榆钱菠菜脯氨酸转运蛋白基因的克隆及转基因拟南芥的耐盐性

脯氨酸是自然界中分布最广泛 ,作用最重要的渗透保护剂之一 ,同时又是高等植物中一类重要的碳源和氮源物质。为了解环境胁迫下脯氨酸的转运调节 ,从一个典型的盐生植物榆钱菠菜 (AtriplexhortensisL .)中通过cDNA文库筛选和 5′_RACE的方法获得了一个全长的cDNA (AhProT1) ,其编码蛋白与脯氨酸转运蛋白有 6 0 %～ 6 9%的同源性 ,含有 11个跨膜结构域。聚类分析表明 ,微生物和高等植物的脯氨酸转运蛋白同源程度相对高于哺乳动物。为进一步分析脯氨酸转运蛋白在植物中的功能 ,将AhProT1置于 35S启动子下转入拟南芥 (Arabidopsisthaliana)。通过同位素示踪法发现 ,与对照植物相比 ,转基因植物在根中积累更多的脯氨酸 ;在一系列不同浓度的盐胁迫试验中 ,转基因植株最高可耐受 2 0 0mmol/LNaCl,并可持续生长 ,而对照植株在 15 0mmol/LNaCl下即已死亡。     

转基因烟草的甘露醇合成和耐盐性

土壤的盐碱性是世界许多地区限制植物生长和作物产量的主要制约因素。长期的研究发现:在高盐或干旱环境下,大多数植物在细胞质中开始积累一些低分子量的代谢物,如脯氨酸、甜菜碱、糖醇等。这些物质通过维持高的细胞质渗透压,有利于植物在高盐或干旱条件下的水分吸收。通过基因工程手段,影响或改变植物体内的生理代谢途径,使得植物细胞产生和积累不同的低分子量有机化合物,能够     

细菌乙酰胆碱氧化酶基因（codA）在烟草的表达与抗盐能力的分析

将土壤细菌（A.globiformis)的乙酰胆碱氧化酶（COD）基因（codA)通过农杆菌介导转入到烟草中,应用抗性筛选得了抗性植株,PCR检测结果表明：codA已整合到抗性植株染色体中;Western印迹鉴定及金标免疫分子定位的结果表明：乙酰胆碱氧化酶基因（codA已整合到抗性植株染色体中;Western印迹鉴定及金标免疫分子定位的结果表明：乙酰胆碱氧化酶基因（codA)在转基因烟草中得到表达,表达产物COD定位在叶绿体中,通过对转基因植株的抗盐能力分析,结果表明转基因植株比对照植株具有更高的抗盐性,其中幼小植株（1.0-1.5cm)可在400mmol/LNaCl的培养基上存活30天以上,并获得具有一定抗盐性状的转基因植株（T4-400）,能在300mmol/LNaCl浓度下较好生长;较大植株（6-8cm）能在400mmol/LNaCl浓度下较好生长。     

转柽柳eIF1A基因烟草的耐盐性分析

目的:验证柽柳eIF1A基因的功能,为通过基因工程手段培育耐盐植物提供基础资料。方法:对转eIF1A基因的烟草和对照烟草进行不同浓度NaCl胁迫实验,测定其相对电导率、SOD活性和丙二醛含量,统计生根率、生长量和盐害程度。结果:转基因烟草的相对电导率、丙二醛含量均随盐浓度的增加而增大,但都较非转基因对照烟草低。SOD活性随着盐浓度的升高而升高,相同浓度NaCl胁迫下各转基因烟草的SOD活性均高于对照烟草的SOD活性。NaCl浓度为240mmol/L时,非转基因对照烟草不能生根,盐害指数高达67.7%;而转基因烟草均能生根,大部分转基因株系的生根率大于50%。结论:柽柳eIF1A基因的转化提高了烟草的耐盐性。     

Overexpression of WsSGTL1 Gene of Withania somnifera Enhances Salt Tolerance,Heat Tolerance and Cold Acclimation Ability in Transgenic Arabidopsis Plants

Background

Sterol glycosyltrnasferases (SGT) are enzymes that glycosylate sterols which play important role in plant adaptation to stress and are medicinally important in plants like Withania somnifera. The present study aims to find the role of WsSGTL1 which is a sterol glycosyltransferase from W. somnifera, in plant’s adaptation to abiotic stress.

Methodology

The WsSGTL1 gene was transformed in Arabidopsis thaliana through Agrobacterium mediated transformation, using the binary vector pBI121, by floral dip method. The phenotypic and physiological parameters like germination, root length, shoot weight, relative electrolyte conductivity, MDA content, SOD levels, relative electrolyte leakage and chlorophyll measurements were compared between transgenic and wild type Arabidopsis plants under different abiotic stresses - salt, heat and cold. Biochemical analysis was done by HPLC-TLC and radiolabelled enzyme assay. The promoter of the WsSGTL1 gene was cloned by using Genome Walker kit (Clontech, USA) and the 3D structures were predicted by using Discovery Studio Ver. 2.5.

Results

The WsSGTL1 transgenic plants were confirmed to be single copy by Southern and homozygous by segregation analysis. As compared to WT, the transgenic plants showed better germination, salt tolerance, heat and cold tolerance. The level of the transgene WsSGTL1 was elevated in heat, cold and salt stress along with other marker genes such as HSP70, HSP90, RD29, SOS3 and LEA4-5. Biochemical analysis showed the formation of sterol glycosides and increase in enzyme activity. When the promoter of WsSGTL1 gene was cloned from W. somnifera and sequenced, it contained stress responsive elements. Bioinformatics analysis of the 3D structure of the WsSGTL1 protein showed functional similarity with sterol glycosyltransferase AtSGT of A. thaliana.

Conclusions

Transformation of WsSGTL1 gene in A. thaliana conferred abiotic stress tolerance. The promoter of the gene in W.somnifera was found to have stress responsive elements. The 3D structure showed functional similarity with sterol glycosyltransferases.