: A Calcineurin B-Like Protein-Interacting Protein Kinase From the Halophyte , Enhances Arabidopsis Salt Tolerance.

Calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases () play essential roles in plant abiotic stress response. In order to better understand salt tolerance, we cloned and analyzed the gene from the halophyte . Phylogenetic analysis shows that belongs to a sister clade with the gene and is thought to localize to the plasma membrane. shows the highest expression level in the root under normal growth conditions, whereas after NaCl treatment, the highest expression was found in the blade. -overexpressing Arabidopsis plants have a higher seed germination rate, longer root length, and displayed higher salt tolerance than wild type seedlings under salt stress conditions. Furthermore, overexpression might enhance the expression of genes related to K transportation after NaCl treatment. Thus, we conclude that increases transgenic plant salt tolerance and reduces damage associated with salt stress by promoting the expression of genes controlling ion homeostasis. Our results suggest that could serve as an ideal candidate gene to genetically engineer salt-tolerant plants.