The genetic locus At1g73660 encodes a putative MAPKKK and negatively regulates salt tolerance in Arabidopsis

An Arabidopsis mutant with improved salt tolerant germination was isolated from a T-DNA insertion library and designated as AT6. This mutant also exhibited improved salt tolerance phenotype in later developmental stages. But no apparent difference was observed in response to ABA, GA or ethylene during germination between the mutant and the wildtype. The T-DNA was inserted in the At1g73660 locus that coded for a putative MAPKKK. Genetic and multiple mutant allele analyses confirmed that the knockout of this gene resulted in improved salt tolerance phenotype and provided strong evidence that the genetic locus At1g73660 negatively regulated salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. The At1g73660 was down regulated in response to salt stress in the mutants, which is consistent with its role as a negative regulator. It is therefore hypothesized that the AT1g73660 may serve as one of the off-switches of stress responses that are required for unstressed conditions.