cDNA-AFLP technique discloses differential gene expression in response to salinity in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)

Salinity is one of the well-known abiotic stresses resulting in loss of wheat yield. The identification of differentially induced genes and then becoming aware of their function in salt-stressed wheat is imperative to enhance salinity resistance. To determine salt-responsive genes, we evaluated the transcriptome derived from control and stressed wheat by cDNA-AFLP procedure. A total of 31 transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) were sequenced with success. Most of the genes recognized herein, via BLASTX search of TDFs versus GenBank database, belonged to several functional groups such as transport, protein degradation, transcription regulation, signal transduction, cell defense, energy, and metabolism. Real-time PCR revealed that four TDFs were down-regulated and 18 were up-regulated of 22 TDFs. The HAK , CBL3 , serine/threonine PK , cysteine proteinase , LTP , glutamine synthetase , PCAP , DNA glycosylase , PEPC , sulfate permease , and FRA2 genes were specified responsible for salinity stress tolerance. Further research on the new salt-responsive TDFs identified in our experiment can present useful information helping the improvement of wheat tolerance to a high level of salt in the field. These findings altogether improved our understanding of cellular mechanisms involved in wheat response to soil salinization.