The Role of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Genes VaCPK1 and VaCPK26 in the Response of Vitis amurensis (in vitro) and Arabidopsis thaliana (in vivo) to Abiotic Stresses

Resumo

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK or CPK) are involved in protecting plants from abiotic stresses, but the properties and functions of CDPK are still poorly understood. Analysis of the Amur grape Vitis amurensis Rupr. is of great interest, since it demonstrates high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. It was demonstrated that exposure of V. amurensis to salt and, to a lesser extent, osmotic and cold stress resulted in a considerable increase in the VaCPK1 and VaCPK26 transcription level. The present study was focused on the analysis of the effect of constitutive expression of the recombinant VaCPK1 and VaCPK26 genes on the resistance of V. amurensis cell cultures and Arabidopsis thaliana plants to salt, osmotic, and temperature stresses. It was demonstrated that expression of recombinant VaCPK26, as well as to a lesser extent VaCPK1, led to a 1.2–1.7 times increase in biomass accumulation by V. amurensis cell cultures and to a 1.2–2.1 times increase in survival of A. thaliana plants under salt stress. In addition, VaCPK26-expressing lines of A. thaliana lines demonstrated a slight degree of drought tolerance and were characterized by increased expression of some stress-induced protective genes involved in the formation of salt and dehydration tolerance. The data obtained indicate that the VaCPK1 and VaCPK26 genes can act as positive regulators of plant response to salt stress.