Knockdown of ACS9 expression in Arabidopsis decreases the tolerance to salt and osmotic stress

Based on the DNA sequence of ACS9, two produced fragments were subcloned into binary vector pCAMBIA1300 in antisense and sense orientations, and the generated RNA interference (RNAi) vector was then transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana. The stress resistance function of ACS9 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana was researched by determination of stress resistance physiologic indexes, NaCl and PEG6000 resistance. The results showed that the inhibition of ACS9 expression enhanced the sensitivity to high concentration NaCl (150 mmol/L) and PEG6000 (7%) in Arabidopsis thaliana seeding stage. The proline contents and water loss rates in transgenic plants were 0.68 and 1.4 times higher than those in the wild-type leaves, respectively, indicating that the inhibition of ACS9 expression due to salt and drought resistant was reduced and suggested that ACS9 gene played important roles in plant salt and drought tolerance.