Nitric Oxide Is Required for Melatonin-Enhanced Tolerance against Salinity Stress in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Seedlings
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Authors: Zhao, Gan; Zhao, Yingying; Yu, Xiuli; Kiprotich, Felix; Han, Han; Guan, Rongzhan; Wang, Ren; Shen, Wenbiao
Abstract
Although melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) could alleviate salinity stress in plants, the downstream signaling pathway is still not fully characterized. Here, we report that endogenous melatonin and thereafter nitric oxide (NO) accumulation was successively increased in NaCl-stressed rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) seedling roots. Application of melatonin and NO-releasing compound not only counteracted NaCl-induced seedling growth inhibition, but also reestablished redox and ion homeostasis, the latter of which are confirmed by the alleviation of reactive oxygen species overproduction, the decreases in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances production, and Na+/K+ ratio. Consistently, the related antioxidant defense genes, sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHX1), and salt overly sensitive 2 (SOS2) transcripts are modulated. The involvement S-nitrosylation, a redox-based posttranslational modification triggered by NO, is suggested. Further results show that in response to NaCl stress, the increased NO levels are strengthened by the addition of melatonin in seedling roots. Above responses are abolished by the removal of NO by NO scavenger. We further discover that the removal of NO does not alter endogenous melatonin content in roots supplemented with NaCl alone or together with melatonin, thus excluding the possibility of NO-triggered melatonin production. Genetic evidence reveals that, compared with wild-type Arabidopsis, the hypersensitivity to NaCl in nia1/2 and noa1 mutants (exhibiting null nitrate reductase activity and indirectly reduced endogenous NO level, respectively) cannot be rescued by melatonin supplementation. The reestablishment of redox homeostasis and induction of SOS signaling are not observed. In summary, above pharmacological, molecular, and genetic data conclude that NO operates downstream of melatonin promoting salinity tolerance.
Wheat CBL-interacting protein kinase 23 positively regulates drought stress and ABA responses
BMC PLANT BIOLOGY
Authors: Cui, Xiao-Yu; Du, Yong-Tao; Fu, Jin-dong; Yu, Tai-Fei; Wang, Chang-Tao; Chen, Ming; Chen, Jun; Ma, You-Zhi; Xu, Zhao-Shi
Abstract
Background: The calcineurin B-like protein (CBL)-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) signaling pathway responds to various abiotic stresses in plants. Results: Wheat CIPK23, isolated from wheat drought transcriptome data set, was induced by multiple abiotic stresses, including drought, salt, and abscisic acid (ABA). Compared with wild-type plants, TaCIPK23-overexpression wheat and Arabidopsis showed an higher survival rate under drought conditions with enhanced germination rate, developed root system, increased accumulation of osmolytes, and reduced water loss rate. Over-expression of TaCIPK23 rendered transgenic plants ABA sensitivity, as evidenced by delayed seed germination and the induction of stomatal closure. Consistent with the ABA-sensitive phenotype, the expression level of drought-and ABA-responsive genes were increased under drought conditions in the transgenic plants. In addition, using yeast two-hybrid system, pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFc) assays, TaCIPK23 was found to interact with TaCBL1 on the plasma membrane. Conclusions: These results suggest that TaCIPK23 plays important roles in ABA and drought stress responses, and mediates crosstalk between the ABA signaling pathway and drought stress responses in wheat.