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Heterologous expression of a novel Zoysia japonica salt-induced glycine-rich RNA-binding protein gene, ZjGRP, caused salt sensitivity in Arabidopsis

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Abstract

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A novel Zoysia japonica salt-induced glycine-rich RNA-binding protein gene was cloned in this study and its overexpression caused salt sensitivity in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Abstract

Glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRPs) play crucial roles in diverse plant developmental processes. However, the mechanisms and functions of GRPs in salinity stress responses remain largely unknown. In this study, rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) PCR methods was adopted to isolate ZjGRP from Zosyia japonica, a salt-tolerant grass species. ZjGRP cDNA was 456 bp in length, corresponding to 151 amino acids. ZjGRP was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and was found particularly abundantly in stomatal guard cells. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that ZjGRP was expressed in the roots, stems, and leaves of Zoysia japonica, with the greatest expression seen in the fast-growing leaves. Furthermore, expression of ZjGRP was strongly induced by treatment with NaCl, ABA, MeJA, and SA. Overexpression of ZjGRP in Arabidopsis reduced the rate of germination and retarded seedling growth. ZjGRP-overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited weakened salinity tolerance, likely as a result of effects on ion transportation, osmosis, and antioxidation. This study indicates that ZjGRP plays an essential role in inducing salt sensitivity in transgenic plants.

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Abbreviations

RBPs:

RNA-binding proteins

qRT-PCR:

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions

ABA:

Abscisic acid

MeJA:

Methyl jasmonate

SA:

Salicylic acid

GUS:

Β-Glucuronidase

MDA:

Malonaldehyde

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

POD:

Peroxidases

APX:

Ascorbate peroxidase

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (No. 2013AA102607), Knowledge Innovation Program of Shen Zhen (No.JCYJ20160331151245672) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.31601989 and No.31672477).

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Turfgrass Research Institute, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China

      Ke Teng, Penghui Tan, Liebao Han, Zhihui Chang & Yuehui Chao

    2. The College of Horticulture and Garden, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China

      Guozeng Xiao

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    1. Ke Teng
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    2. Penghui Tan
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    3. Guozeng Xiao
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    4. Liebao Han
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    Correspondence to Zhihui Chang or Yuehui Chao.

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    Additional information

    Communicated by Z.-Y. Wang.

    K. Teng and P. Tan contributed equally to this work.

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    Figure S1. Analysis of the ZjGRP promoter sequence. (JPEG 895 kb)

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    Teng, K., Tan, P., Xiao, G. et al. Heterologous expression of a novel Zoysia japonica salt-induced glycine-rich RNA-binding protein gene, ZjGRP, caused salt sensitivity in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Rep 36, 179–191 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-016-2068-x

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