The transcription factor SlNAP1 increases salt tolerance by modulating ion homeostasis and ROS metabolism in Solanum lycopersicum

Abstract

NAC transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in the plant resistant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the functions of the most NAC TFs are still unknown, especially in tomato. Here, we identified and functionally characterized an NAC TFs, SlNAP1, in tomato, and found that SlNAP1 was significantly induced by salt stress. Under 150 mM NaCl treatments, morphological indexes of SlNAP1 over-expressed (SlNAP1-OE) transgenic tomato lines were significantly better than the wild-type (WT) plants. The content of Na+ in leaves and roots of SlNAP1-OE transgenic plants decreased, while the K+ content in leaves, roots, and stems increased compared with WT plants. The expression of the salt stress-related genes (NHX1, HKT1;2 and SOS1) in SlNAP1-OE plants were also significantly up-regulated under salt stress. The SOD, POD and CAT activities and the expression level of antioxidant oxidase synthesis genes of SlNAP1-OE lines were significantly increased. In addition, the SlNAP1-OE lines accumulated less MDA, H2O2 and O2•−, improved antioxidant defense systems which contributed to increase salt tolerance. In summary, our data suggest that SlNAP1 positively regulates salt tolerance in tomato by regulating ion homeostasis and ROS metabolism.