Plant proteome responses to salinity stress – comparison of glycophytes and halophytes

Abstract

The review discusses impacts of salinity on proteome composition in both salinity-sensitive (glycophytic) and salinity-tolerant (halophytic) plants. Salinity response with respect to proteome changes is compared in glycophytes and halophytes with a special focus on specific strategies employed by halophytes to cope with high (above 200 mM NaCl) salt concentrations. The results of comparative proteomic studies aimed at determination of the differences in salinity response between related plant species with contrasting salinity tolerance (Arabidopsis thaliana vs Thellungiella salsuginea, common wheat vs its hybrid, rice vs Porteresia coarctata) are analysed. The comparative studies have revealed that salt-tolerant plants display an enhanced constitutive expression of several salt-responsive genes and fewer salinity-related disturbances in energy metabolism with respect to the salt-sensitive plants. In conclusion, recent results of comparative proteomic studies are summarised and possible ways of utilisation of the obtained results for an improvement of plant (crop) salt tolerance are discussed.