Analysis of WRKY and ERF genes potentially Involved in salt stress responses in Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum.

WRKY transcription factors are involved in multiple aspects of plant growth, development and responses to biotic stresses. Although they have been found to play roles in regulating plant responses to environmental stresses, these roles still need to be explored, especially those pertaining to crops. Durum wheat is the second most widely produced cereal in the world. Complex, large and unsequenced genomes, in addition to a lack of genomic resources, hinder the molecular characterization of tolerance mechanisms. This project aims at characterizing TdWRKY genes from durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum). Enrichment of cis-regulatory elements related to stress responses in the promoters of some TdWRKY genes indicated their potential roles in mediating plant responses to a wide variety of environmental stresses. TdWRKY genes displayed different expression patterns in response to salt stress that distinguishes two durum wheat genotypes with contrasting salt stress tolerance phenotypes. The work done in collaboration indicates that these genes might play some functional role in the salt tolerance in durum wheat.

Collaborators

Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Borj Cedria Science and Technology ParkHammam-lif, Tunisia - Yousfi Fatma, Makhloufi Emna

CNRGV's responsible

William Marande

Publications related to the project

• Comparative Analysis of WRKY Genes Potentially Involved in Salt Stress Responses in Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum
• Isolation and molecular characterization of ERF1, an ethylene response factor gene from durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum), potentially involved in salt-stress responses