The overexpression of OsMed 37_6, a mediator complex subunit enhances salt stress tolerance in rice

Abstract

Mediator, a multisubunit co-activator complex, regulates transcription in eukaryotes and is involved in diverse processes in rice through its different subunits. Here, we have explored salt stress response of one of the rice Mediator subunit gene OsMED37_6. To unravel the possible mechanism of OsMed37_6 gene function, a detailed bioinformatics analysis was also followed. It was found that the gene has functional domains like Hsp70 (heat hock protein). Several salt tolerance up regulatory transcription factors are also predicted to be interacting with OsMed37_6 protein. To validate these understanding on the roles of OsMED37_6 in rice, we generated overexpression lines with OsMed37_6: pCAMBIA231: LBA4404 gene construct. It was observed that the overexpression enhances salt stress tolerance in transgenic lines. Therefore, it is a possibility that the mediator protein imparts salt tolerance by interacting with salt tolerance related transcription factors.