Abstract
Transcription factors are key regulatory elements that affect gene expression in response to specific signals, including environmental stresses such as salinity. Halophytes are specialized plants that have the ability to complete their life cycle in saline environments. In this study we have identified and characterized the evolutionary relationships of putative transcription factors (TF) in an obligate succulent halophyte, Suaeda fruticosa, that are involved in conferring salt tolerance. Using RNA-seq data we have analyzed the expression patterns of certain TF families, predicted protein-protein interactions, and analyzed evolutionary trajectories to elucidate their possible roles in salt tolerance. We have detected the top differentially expressed (DE) transcription factor families (MYB, CAMTA, MADS-box and bZIP) that show the most pronounced response to salinity. The majority of DE genes in the four aforementioned TF families cluster together on TF phylogenetic trees, which suggests common evolutionary origins and trajectories. This research represents the first comprehensive TF study of a leaf succulent halophyte including their evolutionary relationships with TFs in other halophyte and salt-senstive plants. These findings provide a foundation for understanding the function of salt-responsive transcription factors in salt tolerance and associated gene regulation in plants.
Highlights
Salinity causes significant losses in agricultural production due to the limited capacity of crops to regulate homeostasis [1]
We found that S. fruticosa CAMTA transcription factors (TF) are related to Calmodulin-binding transcription activator 2-like protein in Spinacia oleracea and Calmodulin-binding transcription activator 3-like protein in Chenopodium quinoa (Fig 2)
We found that S. fruticosa BZIP TF are related to BZIP TF 16-like isoform X2 in S. oleracea and BZIP TF 16-like protein in C. quinoa (S1 Fig)
Summary
Salinity causes significant losses in agricultural production due to the limited capacity of crops to regulate homeostasis [1]. Halophytes are specialized plants that have adapted to tolerate high salt concentrations through complex mechanisms of gene expression and protein pathway adaptation [2]. Halophytes utilize a variety of physiological and metabolic responses to regulate stress-responsive genes and synthesize functional proteins through a complex signal transduction network to confer salinity tolerance [1]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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