Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 144-154 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 144 Feature Review Open Access Screening and Functional Verification of Poplar Salt Tolerance Genes Huijuan Xu, Xiaoyan Chen Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: xiaoyan.chen@cuixi.org Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0014 Received: 10 May, 2024 Accepted: 15 Jun., 2024 Published: 22 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Xu and Chen, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Xu H.J., and Chen X.Y., 2024, Screening and functional verification of poplar salt tolerance genes, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 14(3): 144-154 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0014) Abstract Through transcriptome analysis and functional screening, several key genes were identified and verified for their roles in salt tolerance. Notably, the PeERF1 gene from Populus euphratica was found to significantly enhance salt tolerance when overexpressed in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa. Similarly, the NAC13 gene was shown to improve salt tolerance in transgenic poplar lines. Overexpression of the PtVP1.1 gene in Populus trichocarpa also conferred increased salt tolerance by enhancing ion homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Additionally, the PsnHDZ63 and PsnMYB108 genes were identified as important regulators of salt stress responses, with their overexpression leading to improved salt tolerance in transgenic poplar and tobacco, respectively. The PtSOS2 gene was another significant finding, with its overexpression resulting in enhanced salt tolerance through improved Na+ efflux and ROS scavenging. The identification and functional verification of these genes provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of salt tolerance in poplar. These findings have significant implications for the development of salt-tolerant poplar varieties through genetic engineering, which could be beneficial for forestry and environmental management in saline-affected areas. Keywords Poplar (Populus L.); Salt tolerance; Gene screening; PeERF1; NAC13; PtVP1.1; PsnHDZ63; Genetic engineering 1 Introduction Poplar trees (genus Populus) are widely recognized for their rapid growth and adaptability, making them valuable for agroforestry and environmental management. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments, including saline soils, is crucial for maintaining productivity and ecological balance in areas affected by salinity. Enhancing salt tolerance in poplar not only supports sustainable forestry practices but also contributes to soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and the reclamation of degraded lands (Ge et al., 2022; Gao et al., 2022). Despite the ecological and economic importance of poplar, improving salt tolerance in woody plants remains a significant challenge. The complexity of salt stress responses, which involve multiple physiological and molecular pathways, complicates the identification and functional validation of key tolerance genes. Traditional breeding methods are often time-consuming and less effective due to the long generation times of trees. Moreover, the genetic basis of salt tolerance in poplar is not fully understood, necessitating advanced genomic and biotechnological approaches to uncover and manipulate the underlying mechanisms (Ezawa and Tada, 2009; Ge et al., 2022; Gao et al., 2022). The primary objective of this study is to identify and functionally verify key genes that contribute to salt tolerance in poplar. By leveraging transcriptome analysis and functional screening techniques, we aim to uncover candidate genes that enhance salt tolerance. This research will focus on the isolation and characterization of these genes, followed by the generation of transgenic poplar lines to validate their roles in salt stress response. Ultimately, this study hopes to provide valuable genetic resources for the development of salt-tolerant poplar varieties, thereby supporting sustainable agroforestry and environmental management practices. 2 Background on Salt Stress in Poplar 2.1 Physiological impacts of salt stress on poplar trees Salt stress is a significant abiotic factor that adversely affects the growth and productivity of poplar trees. High salinity conditions lead to osmotic stress, ion toxicity, and oxidative stress, which collectively impair various
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