Wheat V-H⁺-ATPase Subunit Genes Significantly Affect Salt Tolerance in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>

<div><p>Genes for V-H⁺-ATPase subunits were identified and cloned from the salt-tolerant wheat mutant RH8706-49. Sequences of these genes are highly conserved in plants. Overexpression of these genes in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> improved its salt tolerance, and increased the activities of V-H⁺-ATPase and Na⁺/H⁺ exchange, with the largest increase in plants carrying the c subunit of V-H⁺-ATPase. Results from quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the mRNA level of each V-H⁺-ATPase subunit in the <i>Arabidopsis</i> increased under salt stress. Overall, our results suggest that each V-H⁺-ATPase subunit plays a key role in enhancing salt tolerance in plants.</p>