AtCPK6, a functionally redundant and positive regulator involved in salt/drought stress tolerance in Arabidopsis

Planta. 2010 May;231(6):1251-60. doi: 10.1007/s00425-010-1122-0. Epub 2010 Mar 9.

Abstract

The calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) family is needed in plant signaling during various physiological pathways. The Arabidopsis AtCPK6 gene belongs to the subclass of stress-inducible CDPKs, which is stimulated by salt and osmotic stress. To elucidate the physiological function of AtCPK6, transgenic Arabidopsis plants under the control of double CaMV 35S promoter were obtained. AtCPK6 over-expressing plants showed enhanced tolerance to salt/drought stresses. The elevated tolerance of the AtCPK6 over-expressing plants was confirmed by the change of proline and malondialdehyde (MDA). Real-time PCR analyses revealed that the expression levels of several stress-regulated genes were altered in AtCPK6 over-expressing plants. However, cpk6 mutant displayed no obvious difference with control. These results are likely to indicate that AtCPK6 is functionally redundant and a positive regulator involved in the tolerance to salt/drought stress in Arabidopsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / drug effects*
  • Adaptation, Physiological / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / drug effects*
  • Arabidopsis / enzymology*
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Droughts*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Genes, Plant / genetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Phylogeny
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sodium Chloride / pharmacology*
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects*
  • Stress, Physiological / genetics

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • T-DNA
  • Sodium Chloride
  • CPK6 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases