PNNL

Abstract

Adaptation to abiotic stress is critical for the survival of perennial tree species. Salinity affects plant growth and productivity by interfering with major biosynthetic processes. Detrimental effects of salinity may vary between different plant tissues and cell-types. However, spatial molecular mechanisms controlling plant responses to salinity stress are not yet thoroughly understood in perennial trees. We used laser capture microdissection in clones of Populus tremula x alba to isolate palisade and vascular cells of intermediary leaf from plants exposed to 150 mM NaCl for10 d, followed by a recovery period. Cell-specific changes in proteins and metabolites were determined. Salinity induced a vascular-specific accumulation of proteins associated with photorespiration, and the accumulation of Serine, 3-Phosphoglycerate and NH4+ suggesting changes in N metabolism. Accumulation of the GLUTAMINE SYNTHETASE 2 protein, and increased GS1.1 gene expression, indicated that NH4+ produced in photorespiration was assimilated to glutamine, the main amino acid translocated in Populus trees. Further analysis of total soluble proteins in stems and roots showed the accumulation of bark storage proteins induced by the salinity treatments. Collectively, our results suggest that the salt-induced photorespiration in vascular cells mediate N-reallocation in Populus, an essential process for the adaptation of trees to adverse conditions.