Premium
The SUI‐homologous translation initiation factor eIF‐1 is involved in regulation of ion homeostasis in rice
Author(s) -
Diédhiou C. J.,
Popova O. V.,
Dietz K.J.,
Golldack D.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2008.00037.x
Subject(s) - biology , genetically modified rice , transcription factor , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , genetically modified crops , halophyte , transgene , salinity , biochemistry , ecology
Halophytes survive high salinity by using complex adaptive mechanisms. In a search for novel molecular mechanisms involved in salt acclimation, transcript analyses revealed increased expression of a SUI‐homologous translation initiation factor eIF‐1 in the salt‐tolerant grass species Festuca rubra ssp. littoralis but not in rice. Upon analysis of the cell specificity of eIF‐1 transcription by in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR), predominant signals were detected in rice leaf mesophyll. To further examine the role of eIF‐1 in salt tolerance, transgenic rice plants were generated that over‐express this factor under the control of the CaMV‐35S promoter. The eIF‐1 over‐expressing lines showed improved growth under salt stress that was correlated with maintenance of photosynthetic activity and reduced Na + and Cl − accumulation in leaves. The transgenic rice lines also activated expression of the vacuolar H + ‐ATPase. In addition, an oxidoreductase that belongs to the aldo/keto reductase family was identified as a gene with modified expression in the eIF‐1 over‐expressing lines, compared with wild‐type rice. Our data suggest that eIF‐1 has a central function in salt‐stress adaptation in rice by regulating ion accumulation and the intracellular redox status.