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Response of NAC transcription factor genes against chromium stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

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Abstract

Abiotic stresses, such as heavy metals, adversely affect the living groups including plants. It should be ensured that plants are resistant to environmental stresses in order to increase their growth and development. In this sense, it is an important step for agriculture identify stress-related genes whose tolerance against environmental stresses can be increased. NAC transcription factor (TF) genes provide plant growth and development as well as regulate abiotic stress responses. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine expression levels of NAC TF genes (TF ID: Han682, Han2027 and Han2724) against chromium (Cr; 1 mM) stress in sunflower tolerant to heavy metals. The effects of copper (Cu; 0,25 mM), which are micronutrient elements, and exogenous ascorbic acid (AsA; 200 mg/L) treatments on the expression of these genes and some stress parameters such as chlorophyll amount, leaf relative water content, cell membrane damage are examined. According to the results obtained, Cr stress decreased chlorophyll content and leaf water content and increased cell membrane damage. Treatment of AsA and Cu in combination with Cr reduced toxicity by decreasing cell membrane damage by increasing chlorophyll content and leaf relative water content. The results obtained show that Cu and AsA can equally improve Cr stress. Expression profiles of NAC TF genes obtained by quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) were changed with plant tissues. NAC TF genes, which are upregulated with Cr stress in the root, have been determined to be a heavy metal response gene.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ataturk University, 25240, Erzurum, Turkey

    Merve Yuce & Guleray Agar

  2. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, 25240, Erzurum, Turkey

    Mahmut Sinan Taspinar & Murat Aydin

Authors
  1. Merve Yuce
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  2. Mahmut Sinan Taspinar
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  3. Murat Aydin
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  4. Guleray Agar
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Contributions

GA and MY planned and conducted the research. MST and MA provided tools and analyzed the data. GA and MY wrote the manuscript with the contributions of other authors. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Merve Yuce.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Communicated by Silvia Moreno.

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Yuce, M., Taspinar, M.S., Aydin, M. et al. Response of NAC transcription factor genes against chromium stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 136, 479–487 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-018-01529-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-018-01529-8

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