Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental Stress

Soil salinization poses a significant threat to tea plant (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) production by compromising its bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, L-theanine, and caffeine, which are key contributors to the plant’s health benefits and economic value. This study investigates th...

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Main Authors: Shunkai Hu, Peishuo Jiang, Qirong Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/855
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author Shunkai Hu
Peishuo Jiang
Qirong Guo
author_facet Shunkai Hu
Peishuo Jiang
Qirong Guo
author_sort Shunkai Hu
collection DOAJ
description Soil salinization poses a significant threat to tea plant (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) production by compromising its bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, L-theanine, and caffeine, which are key contributors to the plant’s health benefits and economic value. This study investigates the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) gene family, a critical salt-tolerance regulator in tea plants, to elucidate its role in maintaining quality under environmental stress. Genome-wide analysis identified 51 <i>CsSOS1</i> genes, with phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealing strong evolutionary conservation with <i>Populus trichocarpa</i> and <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>. Promoter analysis detected stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements, indicating adaptive functions in abiotic stress. Expression profiling demonstrated tissue-specific patterns, highlighting significant upregulation of <i>CsSOS1-15</i> and <i>CsSOS1-41</i> under salt and drought stress. Co-expression network analysis further linked <i>CsSOS1</i> genes to carbohydrate metabolism, implicating their roles in stress resilience and secondary metabolite synthesis. Our findings provide molecular insights into CsSOS1-mediated salt tolerance, proposing potential targets for preserving bioactive compounds. This work facilitates developing salt-resistant tea plant cultivars to ensure sustainable production and quality stability amid environmental challenges.
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spelling doaj-art-a319ecfca3914b5f8da4423c154a29b72025-08-20T03:36:21ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-07-0111785510.3390/horticulturae11070855Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental StressShunkai Hu0Peishuo Jiang1Qirong Guo2College of Forestry and Grassland and College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Forestry and Grassland and College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Forestry and Grassland and College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaSoil salinization poses a significant threat to tea plant (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) production by compromising its bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, L-theanine, and caffeine, which are key contributors to the plant’s health benefits and economic value. This study investigates the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) gene family, a critical salt-tolerance regulator in tea plants, to elucidate its role in maintaining quality under environmental stress. Genome-wide analysis identified 51 <i>CsSOS1</i> genes, with phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealing strong evolutionary conservation with <i>Populus trichocarpa</i> and <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>. Promoter analysis detected stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements, indicating adaptive functions in abiotic stress. Expression profiling demonstrated tissue-specific patterns, highlighting significant upregulation of <i>CsSOS1-15</i> and <i>CsSOS1-41</i> under salt and drought stress. Co-expression network analysis further linked <i>CsSOS1</i> genes to carbohydrate metabolism, implicating their roles in stress resilience and secondary metabolite synthesis. Our findings provide molecular insights into CsSOS1-mediated salt tolerance, proposing potential targets for preserving bioactive compounds. This work facilitates developing salt-resistant tea plant cultivars to ensure sustainable production and quality stability amid environmental challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/855<i>Camellia sinensis</i><i>SOS1</i>expression profilesabiotic stresshormone
spellingShingle Shunkai Hu
Peishuo Jiang
Qirong Guo
Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental Stress
Horticulturae
<i>Camellia sinensis</i>
<i>SOS1</i>
expression profiles
abiotic stress
hormone
title Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental Stress
title_full Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental Stress
title_fullStr Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental Stress
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental Stress
title_short Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) Pathway Genes in Tea Plant (<i>Cameliia sinensis</i>) Under Environmental Stress
title_sort characterization of the salt overly sensitive 1 sos1 pathway genes in tea plant i cameliia sinensis i under environmental stress
topic <i>Camellia sinensis</i>
<i>SOS1</i>
expression profiles
abiotic stress
hormone
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/855
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AT peishuojiang characterizationofthesaltoverlysensitive1sos1pathwaygenesinteaplanticameliiasinensisiunderenvironmentalstress
AT qirongguo characterizationofthesaltoverlysensitive1sos1pathwaygenesinteaplanticameliiasinensisiunderenvironmentalstress