Differential expression of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) regulated in response to salt stress conditions in date palm

Abstract

Background and Objective: Phoenix dactylifera L. (Date palm) is the most important crop in several drought regions of North Africa, the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula. Salinity is one of the main problems that can severely affect the production of Date palm. So, the objective of this study was to investigate biochemical and physiological basis for date palm salinity tolerance, isolate and characterize Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) involved in response to salinity stress conditions by using DD-PCR technique. Materials and Methods: In current research, some biochemical and physiological analysis was done (chlorophyll pigments, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the ratio of K /Na and also DD-PCR was used as molecular aspects to detect ESTs related to salt tolerance in two Egyptian Date palm cultivars (cv. Bertamoda and cv. Malkabi) at seedling stage. Results: The results of chlorophyll pigments showed reduction in salt stressed plants, while, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the ratio of K /Na were increased. The DD-PCR results revealed the appearance of 17 (7 ESTs from Bertamoda and 10 ESTs from Malkabi) up-regulated genes in salt-stressed plants compared to control. Conclusion: Bertamoda cultivar is more tolerant to salt stress than Malkabi cultivar, because it has the ability to protect the photosynthetic pigments, absorb low amounts of Na , minimize the production of MDA and upregulated 17 genes that controlling the expression of many enzymes and hormones responsible for many metabolic pathways that could be the way for tolerating and minimizing the bad effects of salt stress. + + + + +