Overexpression of MADS-box transcription factor OsMADS25 enhances salt stress tolerance in Rice and Arabidopsis

Salinity is the major abiotic stress inhibiting plant growth and yield all over the world. MADS-box family genes play vital roles in various aspects of plant growth and development, such as the development of floral organs and the regulation of flowering time. The MADS-box transcription factor OsMADS25, belongs to ANR1 clade, and is significantly induced by NO3− and plays a key role in root development in rice. Although MADS genes in different species are reported to play important role in salt stress response, whether OsMADS25 is involved in salinity is still unknown. In this study, our results showed that overexpression of OsMADS25 in rice and Arabidopsis improved salinity tolerance in comparison to wild type. The higher rate of free proline content, lower accumulation of MDA and significantly up-regulation of genes related to salt stress in OsMADS25 overexpression lines clearly demonstrated more tolerance of OsMADS25 plants against oxidative damages to salt stress than WT plants. In contrast, the OsMADS25 RNAi plants showed more sensitivity to salt stress. Overall, our findings indicate OsMADS25 gene is involved in salt tolerance response and this gene could be used as a gene source for salt tolerant crop breeding in future.