Brassinosteroid enhances salt tolerance via S-nitrosoglutathione reductase and nitric oxide signaling pathway in mangrove Kandelia obovata

Abstract

Brassinosteroid (BR) has been shown to modulate plant tolerance to various stresses. S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is involved in the plant response to environment stress by fine-turning the level of nitric oxide (NO). However, whether GSNOR is involved in BR-regulated Na⁺ /K⁺ homeostasis to improve the salt tolerance in halophyte is unknown. Here, we firstly reported that high salinity increases the expression of BR-biosynthesis genes and the endogenous levels of BR in mangrove Kandelia obovata. Then, salt-induced BR triggers the activities and gene expressions of GSNOR and antioxidant enzymes, thereafter decrease the levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide. Subsequently, BR-mediated GSNOR negatively regulates NO contributions to the reduction of reactive oxygen species generation and induction of the gene expression related to Na⁺ and K⁺ transport, leading to the decrease of Na⁺ /K⁺ ratio in the roots of K. obovata. Finally, the applications of exogenous BR, NO scavenger, BR biosynthetic inhibitor and GSNOR inhibitor further confirm the function of BR. Taken together, our result provides insight into the mechanism of BR in the response of mangrove K. obovata to high salinity via GSNOR and NO signaling pathway by reducing oxidative damage and modulating Na⁺ /K⁺ homeostasis.

Keywords: Kandelia obovata; S-nitrosoglutathione reductase; brassinosteroid; mangrove; salt tolerance mechanism.