Comparative analysis of HKT genes in <i>Ipomoea pes-caprae</i> unveils conserved Na⁺/K⁺ symporter functions within the gene family.

ABSTRACT: The HKT protein family plays a vital role in plant responses to salt stress by mediating sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) transport and maintaining Na⁺-K⁺ balance. Ipomoea pes-caprae (IPC), a pantropical creeping plant distributed along coastal regions in tropical and subtropical zones, exhibits exceptional salt tolerance. Understanding its salt tolerance mechanisms provides valuable insights for developing salt-tolerant crops and identifying candidate genes for genetic engineering. In this study, we identified two HKT genes, IpcHKT1;1 and IpcHKT1;2, in IPC. Phylogenetic analysis with HKT genes from other Ipomoea species revealed that all analyzed species contain two HKT genes located adjacently on the sam

SUBMITTER: Guo Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12005088 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature