Genome-Wide Identification of Na+/H+ Antiporter (NHX) Genes in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and Their Regulated Expression under Salt Stress.

Salinity is one of the major environment factors that limits the growth of plants and the productivity of crops worldwide. It has been shown that Na+ transporters play a central role in salt tolerance and development of plants. The objective of this study was to identify Na+/H+ antiporter (NHX) genes and investigate their expression patterns in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) subjected to various concentrations of NaCl. A total of five putative NHX genes were identified and distributed on four chromosomes in sugar beet. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these BvNHX genes are grouped into three major classes, viz Vac- (BvNHX1, -2 and -3), Endo- (BvNHX4), and PM-class NHX (BvNHX5/BvSOS1), and within each class the exon/intron structures are conserved. The amiloride-binding site is found in TM3 at N-terminus of Vac-class NHX proteins. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) prediction suggested that only BvNHX5 putatively interacts with calcineurin B-like proteins (CBL) and CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPK), implying it might be the primary NHX involved in CBL-CIPK pathway under saline condition. It was also found that BvNHX5 contains one abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element (ABRE), suggesting that BvNHX5 might be involved in ABA signal responsiveness. Additionally, the qRT-PCR analysis showed that all the BvNHX genes in both roots and leaves are significantly up-regulated by salt, and the transcription levels under high salinity are significantly higher than those under either low or moderate salinity. Taken together, this work gives a detailed overview of the BvNHX genes and their expression patterns under salt stress. Our findings also provide useful information for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of Na+ homeostasis and further functional identification of the BvNHX genes in sugar beet.

iTRAQ-Based Comparative Proteomic Analysis Provides Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Salt Tolerance in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.).

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress factors that limit plant growth and crop yield worldwide. To understand the molecular mechanisms and screen the key proteins in response of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) to salt, in the present study, the proteomics of roots and shoots in three-week-old sugar beet plants exposed to 50 mM NaCl for 72 h was investigated by isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) technology. The results showed that 105 and 30 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in roots and shoots of salt-treated plants compared with untreated plants, respectively. There were 46 proteins up-regulated and 59 proteins down-regulated in roots; and 13 up-regulated proteins and 17 down-regulated proteins found in shoots, respectively. These DEPs were mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, transcription, translation, protein folding, sorting, and degradation as well as transport. It is worth emphasizing that some novel salt-responsive proteins were identified, such as PFK5, MDH, KAT2, ACAD10, CYP51, F3H, TAL, SRPR, ZOG, V-H⁺-ATPase, V-H⁺-PPase, PIPs, TIPs, and tubulin α-2/ß-1 chain. qRT-PCR analysis showed that six of the selected proteins, including BvPIP1-4, BvVP and BvVAP in root and BvTAL, BvURO-D1, and BvZOG in shoot, displayed good correlation between the expression levels of protein and mRNA. These novel proteins provide a good starting point for further research into their functions using genetic or other approaches. These findings should significantly improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in salt tolerance of sugar beet plants.

[Production of Single Cell Protein from Chinese Medicinal Herb Residues by Solid-State Fermentation].

Objectives: To take full advantage of the Chinese medicinal herb residues, the conditions on fermentation of single cell protein feed were studied. Methods: First,the type of Chinese medicinal herb residues and the microbial strain were screened. Then, the single factor and orthogonal experiments were used to investigate the amount of residue, water and urea. Results: The results showed that the protein content was 20. 98% which was highest when Erlong Zuoci pills residue and Aspergillus niger were applied. When the amount of residue was 20 g, urea was 0. 35%,water was 200%,the content of protein increased from 9. 79% to 21. 35%,and the rate of increasing of protein reached to 118. 1%. The effect order of various factors on the protein content was the amount of urea > the amount of water > the amount of residue. Conclusion: Using the microbial fermentation can improve the single cell protein content in the Chinese medicinal herb residues, the results can provide a scientific basis for development and application of the downstream products of Chinese herbal medicine.