A SnRK2-HAK regulatory module confers natural variation of salt tolerance in maize.

ABSTRACT: The exclusion of sodium ions (Na⁺) from the shoot tissue, termed shoot Na⁺ exclusion, underlies a core mechanism of crop salt tolerance. Recent studies have shown that the HAK (High-Affinity K⁺ Transporter) family Na⁺ transporters play a key role in shoot Na⁺ exclusion of various crops, however, it is unknown whether and how this type of transporter is post-transcriptionally regulated. Here, we show that two closely related SnRK2 kinases, designated as ZmSnRK2.9 and ZmSnRK2.10, promote shoot Na⁺ exclusion and salt tolerance by activating the Na⁺ transporter ZmHAK4 in maize. Under salt conditions, the kinase activity of ZmSnRK2.9 and ZmSnRK2.10 is activated, then they interact with and phosphorylate ZmHAK4 at Ser5,

SUBMITTER: Zhang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12041354 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature