Analysis of expression of WRKY transcription factors under saline conditions in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Genetically improvement for salinity resistance is one of the most effective breeding methods for wheat. But understanding the mechanism, assessing and identifying salinity tolerance genes is a prerequisite for genetic modification. The role of a number of families of transcription factors has been proven in response to environmental stresses, hence, their identification and investigation facilitates the possibility of overcoming stresses. Considering the significant role of the important family of WRKY transcription factors in response to stresses, the expression of two important genes of this family including TaWRKY10 and TaWRKY53 in different tolerant and susceptible cultivars of wheat was investigated. The results showed that TaWRKY10 exhibited different expressions in susceptible wheat (Tajan) and resistant (Bam) cultivars. In resistant cultivar (Bam) under saline conditions over a period of 48 hours, TaWRKY10 showed more expression level in both leaf and root tissues than the control and also the sensitive (Tajan) cultivar. However, the expression of TaWRKY53 was different in resistant and susceptible cultivars. TaWRKY53 in susceptible cultivar (Tajan), over the period of 48 hours, showed more expression level than the control and resistant cultivar (Bam) in leaves and root tissues. Also, by using salicylic acid under salinity stress, the expressions of TaWRKY10 and TaWRKY53 in Tajan and Bam cultivars were different. In general, our results show that WRKY transcription factors can play a role in generating resistance to salinity stress in wheat and therefore can be used in genetic improvement.