Significant secretion of citrate from root apex of rice bean (Vigna umbellata) is delayed by several hours under aluminium (Al) stress. However, the molecular basis of regulation of VuMATE1, a gene encoding an Al-activated citrate transporter, remains unclear. In this study, we used suppression subtractive hybridization together with reverse northern blot analysis and qRT-PCR to identify genes with altered transcript levels in the root apex after treatment with low (5 μM) or high (25 μM) concentration of AlCl3 for a short time (4 h). We found that in addition to VuMATE1, 393 genes showed an early response to Al. Among functionally annotated genes, those related to 'metabolism and energy', 'signal transduction and transcription' and 'transport' was predominantly up-regulated, whereas those associated with 'protein translation, processing and degradation' was predominantly down-regulated. Comparative analysis of transcriptional profiles highlighted candidate genes associated with citrate secretion and revealed several new aspects of the molecular processes underlying Al toxicity and tolerance. Based on the data, it is proposed that metabolic changes represent adaptive mechanisms to Al stress, whereas inhibition of both cell elongation and cell division underlies Al-induced root growth inhibition.
Polyamines (PAs) are ubiquitous biogenic amines that play important roles in the environmental stress tolerance of crops. However, the relationship between PAs and plant waterlogging (WL) tolerance has received little attention. In this study, the protective effects of spermidine (Spd) against WL stress were investigated by Zea mays. WL treatment inhibited root growth and caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, membrane permeability and DNA damage in maize roots. Pre‐soaking seeds with Spd markedly alleviated these effects caused by WL. Spd pre‐soaking also significantly increased the endogenous Spd content in both control and waterlogged maize roots. In addition, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, CAT; glutathione reductase, GR; superoxide dismutase, SOD; peroxidase, POD) was enhanced in Spd‐pre‐soaked maize roots under WL stress. Thus, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide‐radical (O2·−) accumulation were reduced. Spd treatment also enhances the expression and protein abundance of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and 90 during the period of WL stress. Furthermore, Spd pre‐soaking reversed the inhibition effect of WL on H+ efflux and K+ influx in maize roots. The PM H+‐ATPase activity in Spd‐pre‐treated seedlings exhibited less inhibitory under WL conditions. In conclusion, this study suggests that WL stress could be alleviated by priming seeds with Spd in maize species. This alleviative effect was partially attributable to (i) up‐regulated activity of antioxidant enzymes; (ii) maintained PM H+‐ATPase activity; and (iii) increased Hsp70 and Hsp90 gene expression and protein abundance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.