GhSTP18, a member of sugar transport proteins family, negatively regulates salt stress in cotton

Abstract

The sugar transporter protein (STP) family has been shown to play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress response. However, it has not been studied in cotton compared to other major crops. In this study, we identified 90 STP genes from four cotton species, performed bioinformatic analysis, and focused on the role of GhSTP18 in salt stress. According to our results, cotton STP proteins were divided into four subgroups according to the phylogenetic tree. A synteny analysis suggested that whole‐genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication were key drivers in the expansion of the STP gene family. The transcriptomic data analysis showed that 29 GhSTP genes exhibited sink‐specific expression. Quantitative real time‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analyses revealed that expression of GhSTP18 was induced by salt treatment, heat treatment, cold treatment, and drought treatment, and continuously increased during a salt stress time course. Notably, GhSTP18 encodes a plasma membrane‐localized galactose transporter. Suppression of GhSTP18 transcription by a virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) assay reduced sensitivity to salt stress in cotton, indicating that GhSTP18 negatively regulates plant salt tolerance. These results provide an important reference and resource for further studying and deploying STP genes for cotton improvement.

The Identification, Characterization, and Functional Analysis of the Sugar Transporter Gene Family of the Rice False Smut Pathogen, Villosiclava virens

“…All VvSTPs were predicted to contain 12 transmembrane domains and be located on plasma membranes, suggesting that all VvSTPs are membrane proteins. A majority of VvSTPs had PI values greater than 7, consistent with MeSTPs identified in cassava [44], but VvSTP24's PI was as low as 5.13, which is lower than other identified STPs, suggesting its amino acid composition may differ from other STPs previously identified.…”

“…We speculate that the similar STP number between C. purpurea and V. virens may arise from the fact that both pathogens infected crop panicles, which contain the highest concentration of sugars in the plant [40]. It is necessary for STPs to localize on the membrane in the subcellular region in order to perform their function in sugar exchange across membranes, as evidenced by more and more studies [41][42][43][44]. All VvSTPs were predicted to contain 12 transmembrane domains and be located on plasma membranes, suggesting that all VvSTPs are membrane proteins.…”

“…It is necessary for STPs to localize on the membrane in the subcellular region in order to perform their function in sugar exchange across membranes, as evidenced by more and more studies [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. All VvSTPs were predicted to contain 12 transmembrane domains and be located on plasma membranes, suggesting that all VvSTPs are membrane proteins.…”

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis reveals hub genes regulating response to salt stress in peanut

“…STP proteins play vital roles in monosaccharide absorption in plant tissues or cells, contributing significantly to both plant growth and stress resistance. For instance, the silencing of the GhSTP18 gene in cotton enhances tolerance to salt stress [ 63 ]. Furthermore, a phosphate transporter, PHT4;6, facilitates the selective transport of Pi, crucial for protein N-glycosylation and cell wall biosynthesis, both of which are essential for salt tolerance [ 64 ].…”