Ion transporters and their regulatory signal transduction mechanisms for salinity tolerance in plants

Abstract

Soil salinity is one of the most serious threats to plant growth and productivity. Due to global climate change, burgeoning population and shrinking arable land, there is an urgent need to develop crops with minimum reduction in yield when cultivated in salt‐affected areas. Salinity stress imposes osmotic stress as well as ion toxicity, which impairs major plant processes such as photosynthesis, cellular metabolism, and plant nutrition. One of the major effects of salinity stress in plants includes the disturbance of ion homeostasis in various tissues. In the present study, we aimed to review the regulation of uptake, transport, storage, efflux, influx, and accumulation of various ions in plants under salinity stress. We have summarized major research advancements towards understanding the ion homeostasis at both cellular and whole‐plant level under salinity stress. We have also discussed various factors regulating the function of ion transporters and channels in maintaining ion homeostasis and ionic interactions under salt stress, including plant antioxidative defense, osmo‐protection, and osmoregulation. We further elaborated on stress perception at extracellular and intracellular levels, which triggers downstream intracellular‐signaling cascade, including secondary messenger molecules generation. Various signaling and signal transduction mechanisms under salinity stress and their role in improving ion homeostasis in plants are also discussed. Taken together, the present review focuses on recent advancements in understanding the regulation and function of different ion channels and transporters under salt stress, which may pave the way for crop improvement.

Photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of Iranian licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra l.) accessions under salinity stress

“…The accumulation of salt in the soil is caused by insufficient irrigation water, leaching, and drainage (Mishra et al, 2021). While sodium chloride is a major constituent of saline soils, chloride ions are considered as toxic for plants (Joshi et al, 2022). High levels of chloride ions usually cause retardation of plant growth (Joshi et al, 2022).…”

“…While sodium chloride is a major constituent of saline soils, chloride ions are considered as toxic for plants (Joshi et al, 2022). High levels of chloride ions usually cause retardation of plant growth (Joshi et al, 2022). Salinity also affects the soil structure, plant growth and crop yield (Hopmans et al, 2021).…”

Physiology and Gene Expression Analysis of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Salt Stress

“…The resistance or adaptation of plants to external salt stress tends to be Na + efflux and the localization of vacuoles [22]. In addition, the increase of osmotic regulation substances and antioxidant substances, the high expression of ion transport-related genes, and transcription factors are effective ways to enhance salt tolerance [8].…”

Biotechnological Advances to Improve Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops

“…Salt traffic requires transporters in plasma or vacuole membranes. Several transporter genes have been characterized [ 55 ]. The plasma membrane symporters HKT1 in leaves and ATK1 in roots are responsible for pumping K + into the cell.…”

“…On the vacuole membrane, Ca + regulates Na + compartmentalization by the NHX1 antiporter and helps H + exit. The other key types of antiporters are V-ATPase and V-PPase, which are responsible for introducing H + into the vacuolar membrane [ 55 ].…”