Abstract
Coping with salinity-induced reduction in crop yield is essential for food security. Human leukocyte antigen-B associated transcript 1 (BAT1) also called as UAP56 is a DExD/H-box protein involved in messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing. Function of plant homologue of BAT1, especially its involvement in stress tolerance, has not been reported so far. Here, we demonstrate the localization of rice BAT1 (OsBAT1) in the nucleus and in the plasma membrane and its novel function in salinity stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. IR64). Rice overexpressing OsBAT1 (T1 and T2 generations) show tolerance to high salinity (200 mM NaCl) stress. The T1 transgenics exhibited higher levels of biochemical parameters such as water and chlorophyll contents, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 content as compared to null-segregant (control) plants. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, malondialdehyde and glutathione reductase were significantly higher in transgenics indicating the presence of an efficient antioxidant defence system which helps to cope with salinity-induced oxidative damages. Agronomic parameters were also higher in transgenics as compared to control. Microarray analysis of OsBAT1 overexpressing transgenic lines revealed up-regulation of stress-responsive genes of different pathways including the spliceosome. Our results provide the first direct evidence for a promising function of OsBAT1 in mediating salinity stress response/tolerance in rice.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
