A SnRK2-HAK regulatory module confers natural variation of salt tolerance in maize

Ming Zhang (), Xueyan Zhou, Limin Wang, Xiaoyan Liang, Xin Liu and Caifu Jiang ()
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Ming Zhang: China Agricultural University
Xueyan Zhou: China Agricultural University
Limin Wang: China Agricultural University
Xiaoyan Liang: China Agricultural University
Xin Liu: Qingdao Agricultural University
Caifu Jiang: China Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract The exclusion of sodium ions (Na+) from the shoot tissue, termed shoot Na+ exclusion, underlies a core mechanism of crop salt tolerance. Recent studies have shown that the HAK (High-Affinity K+ Transporter) family Na+ transporters play a key role in shoot Na+ exclusion of various crops, however, it is unknown whether and how this type of transporter is post-transcriptionally regulated. Here, we show that two closely related SnRK2 kinases, designated as ZmSnRK2.9 and ZmSnRK2.10, promote shoot Na+ exclusion and salt tolerance by activating the Na+ transporter ZmHAK4 in maize. Under salt conditions, the kinase activity of ZmSnRK2.9 and ZmSnRK2.10 is activated, then they interact with and phosphorylate ZmHAK4 at Ser5, increasing the Na+ transport activity of ZmHAK4, which in turn promotes salt tolerance by improving the exclusion of Na+ from the shoot tissue. Furthermore, we show that a 20-bp deletion that occurred naturally in the ZmSnRK2.10 promoter decreases its transcript level, resulting in an increased shoot Na+ content under salt conditions. Our findings support a breeding program that can utilize the favorable alleles of ZmHAK4 and ZmSnRK2.10 to enhance both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional activation of ZmHAK4, thus advancing the development of salt-tolerant maize.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59332-x

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