SC35-mediated bZIP49 splicing regulates K⁺ channel AKT1 for salt stress adaptation in poplar

Xiao Liu, Yu Bao, Man-Yu Zhang, Han Zhang, Meng-Xue Niu, Shu-Jing Liu, Mei-Ying Liu, Meng-Bo Huang, Chao Liu, Weilun Yin (), Hou-Ling Wang () and Xinli Xia ()
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Xiao Liu: Beijing Forestry University
Yu Bao: Beijing Forestry University
Man-Yu Zhang: Beijing Forestry University
Han Zhang: Beijing Forestry University
Meng-Xue Niu: Beijing Forestry University
Shu-Jing Liu: Beijing Forestry University
Mei-Ying Liu: Beijing Forestry University
Meng-Bo Huang: Beijing Forestry University
Chao Liu: Beijing Forestry University
Weilun Yin: Beijing Forestry University
Hou-Ling Wang: Beijing Forestry University
Xinli Xia: Beijing Forestry University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Soil salinization threatens plant distribution, crop yields, and ecosystem stability. In response, plants activate potassium (K+) signaling to maintain Na⁺/K⁺ balance, though the mechanisms regulating K⁺ uptake under salt stress remain poorly understood. This study identified two splice variants of the bZIP49 transcription factor in Populus tomentosa: unspliced “bZIP49L” and spliced “bZIP49S”. bZIP49S, the active form under salt stress, reduces salt tolerance when overexpressed, while bzip49cr knockout enhances it. The serine/arginine-rich splicing factor SC35 was identified as a regulator of bZIP49 mRNA splicing through a self-developed experimental method, and its overexpression enhances salt sensitivity. bZIP49S inhibits the K+ transporter AKT1 by binding its promoter, and AKT1 loss in bzip49cr mutant limits K+ influx and reduces salt tolerance. Under salt stress, the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBC32 promotes SC35 degradation via ubiquitination, lowering bZIP49S levels and alleviating the inhibition of AKT1. This facilitates K⁺ uptake, restores Na⁺/K⁺ balance, and improves salt tolerance. Our study highlights the critical role of bZIP49 splicing and the “UBC32-SC35-bZIP49-AKT1” module in modulating Na⁺/K⁺ balance under salt stress in poplar.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62448-9

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