Overexpression of a Zea mays Brassinosteroid-Signaling Kinase Gene ZmBSK1 Confers Salt Stress Tolerance in Maize

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.894710
• Publication Date: 2022-05-06T08:17:41Z
• Authors: Lei Liu; Yanchao Sun; Pengcheng Di; Yakun Cui; Qingchang Meng; Xiaming Wu; Yanping Chen; Jianhua Yuan
• Keywords: Brassinosteroid

Salinity has become a crucial environmental factor seriously restricting maize (Zea mays L.) growth, development and productivity. However, how plants respond to salt stress is still poorly understood. In this study, we report that brassinosteroid-signaling kinase gene ZmBSK1 plays significant role in response. Expression pattern analysis revealed the transcript level of was upregulated by NaCl treatment both leaves, roots, stems. Phenotypic physiological showed overexpression improved tolerance reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, percentage electrolyte leakage, O2 - H2O2 accumulation under stress, relying on increases antioxidant defense enzyme activities proline content. qRT-PCR also positively modulated expression levels reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging biosynthesis-related genes stress. Moreover, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) assay firefly luciferase complementation imaging (LCI) could associate with heat shock protein ZmHSP8 14-3-3-like ZmGF14-6, their be significantly induced different tissues. Our findings unravel new function response, which provides theoretical bases for improvement resistance.