The role of PQL genes in response to salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis and barley.

ABSTRACT: While soil salinity is a global problem, how salt enters plant root cells from the soil solution remains underexplored. Non-selective cation channels (NSCCs) are suggested to be the major pathway for the entry of sodium ions (Na⁺), yet their genetic constituents remain unknown. Yeast PQ loop (PQL) proteins were previously proposed to encode NSCCs, but the role of PQLs in plants is unknown. The hypothesis tested in this research is that PQL proteins constitute NSCCs mediating some of the Na⁺ influx into the root, contributing to ion accumulation and the inhibition of growth in saline conditions. We identified plant PQL homologues, and studied the role of one clade of PQL genes in Arabidopsis and barley. Using heterologous expression of AtPQL1a and HvPQL1

SUBMITTER: Alqahtani M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7876507 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature