Salt- and ABA-inducible OsGASR1 is involved in salt tolerance

In the course of studying abiotic stress response in rice, we identified a member of the GAST (GA-stimulated transcript) family gene, OsGASR1. Transcripts of OsGASR1 were inducible by salt or ABA treatment. Ectopic expression of OsGASR1 enhanced the salt tolerance of transgenic plants as judged by the wilting ratio, growth of new leaves, and changes in fresh weights. When compared with the wild type control, H2O2 content during salt stress was approximately 25% lower in transgenic plants that over-expressed the gene. Moreover, Escherichia coli cells producing OsGASR1 protein became more tolerant to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside. These findings suggest that the enhanced salt tolerance may be via improved ROS resistance. Taken together, we suggest that OsGASR1 plays important roles in the plant tolerance to salt stress.