Molecular characterization and transcript profiling of NAC genes in response to abiotic stress in Tamarix hispida

NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) domain proteins are plant-specific transcriptional regulators that play roles in diverse developmental processes and stress responses. However, there has been little work on cloning NAC family genes and characterizing their expression patterns in response to abiotic stresses in woody plants. In the present study, a total of 21 full-length NAC genes were identified in Tamarix hispida, a woody halophyte. Most of these NACs contained a complete NAC DNA-binding domain and a variable transcriptional regulation domain. Real-time RT-PCR showed that these ThNAC genes are all expressed in the roots, stems, and leaves of T. hispida in response to salinity, drought, heavy metal, or abscisic acid (ABA) stimuli, indicating that they play regulatory roles in the abiotic stress response and are involved in ABA-dependent stress-signaling pathways. This study may provide insight into the roles of NACs in abiotic stress tolerance and also contribute to the selection of candidate genes for using molecular breeding to improve plant stress tolerance.