Expression analysis of salt stress responsive genes in grapevines

In Tunisia, highly tolerant autochthonous varieties represent a valuable resource for elucidating mechanisms of plant adaptation to salinity. Our aim is to determine which genes in these Tunisian grapevine varieties significantly contribute to the adaptation to increasing salinity. To characterize the complement of salt-responsive genes in Tunisian grapevines, we have constructed subtractive cDNA library from leaves of Vitis vinifera var. Razegui, a highly salt-tolerant variety. The library was screened for differentially expressed cDNAs, and positive clones were verified. The expression pattern of selected candidate cDNAs was analyzed using a range of Vitis vinifera cultivars with different degrees of phenotypic salt-stress tolerance. Expression of these cDNAs was investigated in plants after 6 and 24 h of treatment with 100 mM NaCl in hydroponic culture, and compared to plants grown under control conditions. Here, we describe the analysis of these transcripts and the putative correlation between phenotypic adaptation to salt stress and salt-induced gene expression.