FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF SIAK GENE IN RESPONSE TO SALT STRESS IN ARABIDOPSIS

We have cloned SIAK (Salt Induction ABC1-like Kinase) gene, encoded an ABC1 -like protein kinase in Aradidopsis thaliana, the expression patterns of SIAK in Aradidopsis were detected by RT-PCR and GUS staining. SIAK expressed in all tissues including root, leaf, silique and seedling, and it expressed most in leaves. The transcription level of the SIAK gene was analyzed by semi-quantitive RT-PCR in ABA, SA, MV and NaCl stress conditions, the transcription level was up-regulated, especially in the 0.3 M NaCl stress. Moreover, 35S- SIAK over expresssion plants had higher rate of cotyledon greening and long primer root length than siak-1 mutant and Col-0 after the treatment of NaCl. These results suggested that AtSIAK is involved in salt stress response.