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Generation of selenium-rich wheat mutants and exploration of responsive genes for selenium accumulation

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Abstract

Key message

Salt tolerance, selenium accumulation and expression of the responsive genes were analyzed in the wheat high selenium mutants.

Abstract

Selenium is an essential trace element for the human body, and its deficiency can lead to various diseases such as Keshan disease and large bone disease. Wheat, being a major staple crop, plays a crucial role in providing dietary selenium supplementation to combat this deficiency. Despite progress in understanding the molecular regulation of selenium accumulation in certain crops, the molecular mechanisms governing selenium accumulation-related gene expression in wheat plants remain poorly understood. In this study, three mutant wheat lines with elevated selenium content were identified. Under the treatment of Na2SeO3 or NaCl, the selenium-rich wheat mutants exhibited decreased sensitivity to both selenium and NaCl compared to the wild type. Additionally, there was an increase in the activities of SOD and POD, while the content of MDA decreased. Through qRT-PCR analysis, the expression of selenium-related genes was affected, revealing that some of these genes not only regulate the response of wheat to salt stress, but also play a role in the process of selenium accumulation. The transcriptome results revealed that the important genes encoding glutathione S-transferases, peroxidases, superoxide dismutases, and UDP-glucosyltransferases may function in the regulation of salt tolerance and selenium accumulation in wheat. These findings significantly contribute to the current understanding of the molecular regulation of selenium accumulation in wheat crops, while also offering novel germplasm resources for cultivating selenium-rich and salt-tolerant wheat lines.

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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (#32170319).

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China, 32170319, Chun-Hai Dong.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Tengteng Shi, Yanrong Wang, Yuetong Li, Xinying Sui & Chun-Hai Dong

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  1. Tengteng Shi
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  2. Yanrong Wang
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  3. Yuetong Li
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  4. Xinying Sui
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  5. Chun-Hai Dong
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Contributions

TS conducted the experiments of sodium selenite sensitivity, salt tolerance assays, and transcriptome analysis. YW, YL, and XS did examination of the mutant phenotype and measurement of selenium content. CHD designed the experiments and revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Chun-Hai Dong.

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Communicated by Reena Sharma.

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Shi, T., Wang, Y., Li, Y. et al. Generation of selenium-rich wheat mutants and exploration of responsive genes for selenium accumulation. Plant Cell Rep 43, 132 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-024-03219-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-024-03219-6

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