Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Tolerant and Sensitive Varieties Reveals That Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis Contributes to Salt Tolerance in Mulberry

Abstract

Mulberry, an important woody tree, has strong tolerance to environmental stresses, including salinity, drought, and heavy metal stress. However, the current research on mulberry resistance focuses mainly on the selection of resistant resources and the determination of physiological indicators. In order to clarify the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance in mulberry, the physiological changes and proteomic profiles were comprehensively analyzed in salt-tolerant (Jisang3) and salt-sensitive (Guisangyou12) mulberry varieties. After salt treatment, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and proline content were significantly increased compared to control, and the MDA and proline content in G12 was significantly lower than in Jisang3 under salt stress. The calcium content was significantly reduced in the salt-sensitive mulberry varieties Guisangyou12 (G12), while sodium content was significantly increased in both mulberry varieties. Although the Jisang3 is salt-tolerant, salt stress caused more reductions of photosynthetic rate in Jisang3 than Guisangyou12. Using tandem mass tags (TMT)-based proteomics, the changes of mulberry proteome levels were analyzed in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive mulberry varieties under salt stress. Combined with GO and KEGG databases, the differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in the GO terms of amino acid transport and metabolism and posttranslational modification, protein turnover up-classified in Guisangyou12 while down-classified in Jisang3. Through the comparison of proteomic level, we identified the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis may play an important role in salt tolerance of mulberry. We clarified the molecular mechanism of mulberry salt tolerance, which is of great significance for the selection of excellent candidate genes for saline-alkali soil management and mulberry stress resistance genetic engineering.

Multiomics Analyses of Two Sorghum Cultivars Reveal the Molecular Mechanism of Salt Tolerance

“…Glutathione S-transferase were induced in GZ and degraded in HN in our study. Previous research indicated that overexpression of the glutathione S-transferase could enhanced salt resistance of mulberry ( Gan et al, 2021 ).…”

Integrated physiological and comparative proteomics analysis of contrasting genotypes of pearl millet reveals underlying salt‐responsive mechanisms

“…But those studies were mainly focused on Arabidopsis thaliana , Nicotiana tabacum , Oryza sativa , and other model plants (Dani et al 2005; Jiang et al 2007; Lakra et al 2019; Manaa et al 2011; Ndimba et al 2005; Sobhanian et al 2010; Zörb et al 2010), and some halophytic species, such as Suaeda salsa , Mesembryanthemum crystallinum , Haloxylon salicornicum , Puccinellia tenuiflora , and Porteresia coarctata (Barkla et al 2009; Li et al 2011; Panda et al 2020; Sengupta & Majumder 2009; Yu et al 2011). Proteomics approach has also been exploited to identify the key salt‐tolerance proteins by comparing the related plant species or contrasting genotypes under salinity, such as Arabidopsis thaliana/Thellungiella halophila , Triticum aestivum/Thinopyrum ponticum , Oryza sativa , Hordeum vulgare , Zea mays , and recently in Morus alba (Chen et al 2019; Damaris et al 2016; Gan et al 2021; Hussain et al 2019; Lakra et al 2018, 2019; Luo et al 2018; Pang et al 2010; Wang et al 2008; Witzel et al 2010). However, in case of millets, only a single study reported salt‐specific proteome responses, i.e.…”

Salt stress proteins in plants: An overview

“…In the cross-talk between different signaling networks, various salt-stress proteins regulate osmoregulation and ion transport and compartmentalize toxic ions in the vacuole. Such activities require the coordinated activity of vesicles and proteins trafficking in different cellular organelles (Nam et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2015b;Zhao et al, 2018;Gan et al, 2021). Thus, plants likely express specific proteins to perform particular functions (Figure 1).…”