Manipulation of REMORIN gene dosage affects salt signaling and tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

Salinity is among the most detrimental environmental plant stressors hampering growth, development and immunity. Its impact is increasing due to intensive agricultural practices and climate change. The molecular components linked to the early cellular and molecular events triggered by salt are mostly unknown. Here we show that genes encoding for members of the REMORIN proteins family exhibit dynamic temporal regulation following salt perception. Analogously to pattern-triggered immune signaling, we observed that salt rapidly induces the reorganization of REMORIN1.2 (REM1.2) into static plasma membrane nanodomains which colocalize with the actin-nucleating protein FORMIN 6. Overexpression of REM1.2 inhibits early signaling and late cell morphological responses to salt, defects which correlated with an increase in salt sensitivity. Our findings connect early salt-triggered signaling events to changes in cell architecture and root resilience and describe REMORIN nanodomains as a convergent articulation point in biotic and abiotic signaling pathways.