Regulatory effect of exogenous melatonin on the expression of enzyme
genes in the AsA-GSH cycle and nitrogen metabolism in rice seedlings
under NaCl stress
Abstract
In this study, the regulatory effect of exogenous melatonin on the
expression of genes related to the AsA-GSH cycle and nitrogen metabolism
in seedlings under NaCl stress was determined; the homology between
enzyme genes and similar genes in other species was analyzed by applying
different concentrations of exogenous melatonin to rice seedlings under
NaCl stress; and the morphology and physiological indicators of
seedlings were determined. Exogenous melatonin was found to upregulate
the expression of OsGR3, OsGPX1, OsNR2,
OsGS1, and OsGOGAT1 in seedlings under NaCl stress, which
enhanced the enzyme activities of the AsA-GSH cycle and nitrogen
metabolism, ultimately reducing the content of reactive oxygen species
(ROS) and improving the photosynthetic rate and nitrogen efficiency. A
high homology was found when rice OsGR3, OsGPX1,
OsNR2, OsGS1, and OsGOGAT1 were compared with
similar genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, Hordeum vulgare,
Zea mays, and Sorghum bicolor. Further, the location of
the gene on the chromosome, the similar gene structure, GO annotation,
and KEGG metabolic pathways were explained by the functions and
metabolic processes of OsGR3, OsGPX1, OsNR2,
OsGS1, and OsGOGAT1. Overall, our findings indicate that
exogenous melatonin participates in the regulation of enzyme gene
expression during the AsA-GSH cycle and nitrogen metabolism, ultimately
affecting the activities of related enzymes and alleviating the
oxidative damage induced by ROS in seedlings.