The F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase AtSDR is involved in salt and drought stress responses in Arabidopsis.

Abstract

F-box protein genes have been shown to play vital roles in plant development and stress respones. In Arabidopsis, there are more than 600 F-box proteins, and most of their functions are unclear. The present study shows that the F-box (SKP1-Cullin/CDC53-F-box) gene At5g15710 (Salt and Drought Responsiveness, SDR) is involved in abiotic stress responses in Arabidopsis. SDR is expressed in all tissues of Arabidopsis and is upregulated by salt and heat stresses and ABA treatment but downregulated by drought stress. Subcellular localization analysis shows that the SDR protein colocalizes with the nucleus. 35S:AntiSDR plants are hypersensitive to salt stress, but 35S:SDR plants display a salt-tolerant phenotype. Furthermore, 35S:SDR plants are hypersensitive to drought stress, while 35S:AntiSDR plants are significantly more drought tolerant. Overall, our results suggest that SDR is involved in salt and drought stress responses in Arabidopsis.