Characterization, in silico analysis and expression of DREB2 and VPase from Suaeda edulis

Abstract

Soil salinity severely affects plants and specially to crop plants. Halophytes are resistant to salinity stress since they have developed several gene mechanisms of resistance, such as the enzymatic Na+ compartmentalization into vacuoles by vacuolar Pyrophosphatase (VPase) and the up-expression of transcription factors such as Dehydration-sensitive Element-Binding proteins (DREB). Halophytes are a potential source of salt-resistance genes and are considered as a study model for this type of stress. In this study, the halophyte Suaeda edulis was used for the identification, characterization, in silico analysis and expression of the DREB and VPase genes. Deduced amino acid sequences of SeDREB and SeVP showed >80% similarity with their homologous and contain conserved domains and motifs characteristic of these proteins. Phylogeny showed that SeDREB is in the subgroup A2 that is expressed in salinity, while SeVP is in the group of the K-dependent vacuolar proteins. In silico coexpresion analysis showed the interaction with several proteins related with salinity and drought. The expression of genes was higher in roots and leaves in wild plants than in in vitro plants. The soil inhabited by S. edulis has a pH 9.2, an EC=4.2 dS m-1, as well as a translocation factor for sodium of 3.4, which indicates a higher adsorption of this metal by the plant.