BdCIPK31, a Calcineurin B-Like Protein-Interacting Protein Kinase, Regulates Plant Response to Drought and Salt Stress

Abstract

Calcineurin B-like protein interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) are vital elements in plant abiotic stress signaling pathways. However, the functional mechanism of CIPKs has not been understood clearly, especially in Brachypodium distachyon, a new monocot model plant. In this study, BdCIPK31, a CIPK gene from B. distachyon was characterized. BdCIPK31 was downregulated by polyethylene glycol, NaCl, H2O2, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing BdCIPK31 presented improved drought and salt tolerance, and displayed hypersensitive response to exogenous ABA. Further investigations revealed that BdCIPK31 functioned positively in ABA-mediated stomatal closure, and transgenic tobacco exhibited reduced water loss under dehydration conditions compared with the controls. BdCIPK31 also affected Na+/K+ homeostasis and root K+ loss, which contributed to maintain intracellular ion homeostasis under salt conditions. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species scavenging system and osmolyte accumulation were enhanced by BdCIPK31 overexpression, which were conducive for alleviating oxidative and osmotic damages. Additionally, overexpression of BdCIPK31 could elevate several stress-associated gene expressions under stress conditions. In conclusion, BdCIPK31 functions positively to drought and salt stress through ABA signaling pathway. Overexpressing BdCIPK31 functions in stomatal closure, ion homeostasis, ROS scavenging, osmolyte biosynthesis, and transcriptional regulation of stress-related genes.

Adaptation of Plants to Salt Stress: Characterization of Na+ and K+ Transporters and Role of CBL Gene Family in Regulating Salt Stress Response

“…Overexpressing BdCIPK31 functions in stomatal closure, ion homeostasis, ROS scavenging, osmolyte biosynthesis, and transcriptional regulation of stress-related genes. In fact, it appears that transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing BdCIPK31 presented improved drought and salt tolerance and displayed hypersensitive response to exogenous ABA [196]. Further investigations revealed that BdCIPK31 functioned positively in ABA-mediated stomatal closure, and transgenic tobacco exhibited reduced water loss under dehydration conditions compared with the controls.…”

“…In 2017, it was reported that BdCIPK31, a CIPK gene from Brachypodium distachyon, functions positively to drought and salt stress through the ABA signaling pathway [196]. Overexpressing BdCIPK31 functions in stomatal closure, ion homeostasis, ROS scavenging, osmolyte biosynthesis, and transcriptional regulation of stress-related genes.…”

“…Moreover, the reactive oxygen species scavenging system and osmolyte accumulation were enhanced by BdCIPK31 overexpression, which was conducive for alleviating oxidative and osmotic damages. Additionally, overexpression of BdCIPK31 could elevate several stress-associated gene expressions under stress conditions [196].…”

Putative role of glutamine in the activation of CBL/CIPK signalling pathways during salt stress in sorghum

“…14 Interestingly, like CBL4-CIPK24 in Arabidopsis, many other members (CBL1, CBL9, PsCBL, CIPK1, CIPK2, CIPK25, CIPK26 and CIPK31) are also involved in the network-like signaling system to mediate response to salt stress, including ABA-dependent signaling cascades. 16,17,18,19,20,21,22 However, although important progress has been achieved in understanding the downstream targets and physiological functions of some of these proteins, many queries remain to be explored.…”

Melatonin Enhanced Short-term Salt Tolerance Through Improving Water Status in Maize Seedlings 

“…Soil salinization, which affects up to 7% of arable land worldwide, is one of the major in uencing factors which has severely limited crop growth and grain yield production due to the sensitivity of crops to high concentrations of salt [1,2]. A high salt concentration could affect plants by increasing osmotic stress and ionic toxicity, which destroyed many plant physiology and metabolic processes, includingleaf photosynthesis, chloroplast electron-transfer, integrity of cell membrane and even the protein synthesis, and to several morphological changes, which reduce crop grain yield production [3,4]. Furthermore, longterm groundwater irrigation also salinizes the soil of inland farmland [5].…”