Proteins SERK3A and SERK3B Boost Salt Resistance in Tomato Seedlings

Jim Crocker
14th June, 2024

Proteins SERK3A and SERK3B Boost Salt Resistance in Tomato Seedlings

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Gansu Agricultural University and Yangtze University found that nitric oxide (NO) and brassinolides (BR) together improve salt tolerance in tomato plants
  • NO enhances salt tolerance by modifying proteins through a process called S-nitrosylation, which activates BR signaling
  • The interaction between BR receptors and co-receptors, facilitated by NO, is crucial for improving salt tolerance in tomato plants
Salinity is a major challenge for agriculture, significantly hindering plant growth and reducing crop yields. This issue is exacerbated by the increasing amount of arable land being lost to urbanization, pushing agriculture into more marginal areas[2]. Traditional crops have limited genetic diversity for salinity tolerance, necessitating the exploration of novel genetic traits from extremophiles to improve crop resilience[2]. A recent study conducted by researchers from Gansu Agricultural University and Yangtze University sheds light on how nitric oxide (NO) and brassinolides (BR) interact to enhance salt tolerance in tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom)[1]. The study found that NO and BR, both known plant growth regulators, work together to improve the salt tolerance of tomato plants. BR is detected by the BR receptor BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) and its co-receptor BRI1-associated kinase 1 (BAK1), forming a receptor complex that induces BR-regulated responses. Under salt stress, NO-mediated protein modifications occur in eukaryotic cells, and this study specifically focused on S-nitrosylation, a type of protein modification involving NO. The researchers discovered that BR plays a role in NO-enhanced salt tolerance by activating BR signaling under salt stress, which is related to NO-mediated S-nitrosylation. In both in vitro and in vivo experiments, it was shown that BAK1 (SERK3A and SERK3B) undergoes S-nitrosylation. This S-nitrosylation was inhibited under salt conditions but enhanced by NO. When the genes for SERK3A and SERK3B were knocked down, the S-nitrosylation of BAK1 was reduced, leading to a compromised BR response and diminished NO-induced salt tolerance. The study further provided evidence for the interaction between BRI1 and SERK3A/SERK3B, which was enhanced by NO. This interaction is crucial as it facilitates the BR response, subsequently improving salt tolerance in tomato plants. These findings illustrate a mechanism by which redox signaling and BR signaling coordinate plant growth in response to abiotic stress. Previous research has shown that tolerance to abiotic stressors like salinity involves complex signaling pathways that restore cellular homeostasis and promote survival. Major plant transcription factor families and protein kinase pathways are key players in these regulatory networks[3]. The recent study builds on this understanding by highlighting the specific role of NO-mediated S-nitrosylation in enhancing BR signaling, thereby improving salt tolerance. Additionally, earlier studies have emphasized the importance of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in stress signaling. While ROS can cause cellular damage, they also play a pivotal role in triggering stress tolerance[3]. The current study aligns with this by demonstrating how NO, a signaling molecule, interacts with BR signaling to enhance salt tolerance through protein modifications like S-nitrosylation. Moreover, the role of NO in plant physiological processes has been previously explored. For instance, NO has been shown to promote adventitious rooting in cucumber by increasing S-nitrosylation levels and reducing the activity of certain enzymes[4]. This study extends the understanding of NO's role by showing its involvement in enhancing salt tolerance through its interaction with BR signaling pathways. In summary, the recent study by Gansu Agricultural University and Yangtze University provides valuable insights into how NO and BR interact to enhance salt tolerance in tomato plants. By demonstrating the role of NO-mediated S-nitrosylation in facilitating BR signaling, the research offers a potential pathway for developing more salt-tolerant crops, addressing a critical challenge in modern agriculture.

GeneticsBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) SERK3A and SERK3B could be S-nitrosylated and enhance the salt resistance in tomato seedlings.

Published 11th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133084

Related Studies

2) Learning from halophytes: physiological basis and strategies to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crops.

https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mct205

3) Tolerance to drought and salt stress in plants: Unraveling the signaling networks.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2014.00151

4) Proteomic Investigation of S-Nitrosylated Proteins During NO-Induced Adventitious Rooting of Cucumber.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20215363


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