The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) transcription factor family plays a key role in plant development and responses to abiotic stress.  GmNAC15 (Glyma15g40510.1), a member of the NAC transcription factor family in soybean, was functionally characterized, especially with regard to its role in salt tolerance.  In the present study, qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription PCR) analysis indicated that GmNAC15 was induced by salt, drought, low temperature stress, and ABA treatment in roots and leaves.  GmNAC15 overexpression in soybean (Glycine max) hairy roots enhanced salt tolerance.  Transgenic hairy roots improved the survival of wild leaves; however, overexpression of GmNAC15 in hairy root couldn’t influnce the expression level of GmNAC15 in leaf.  GmNAC15 regulates the expression levels of genes responsive to salt stress.  Altogether, these results provide experimental evidence of the positive effect of GmNAC15 on salt tolerance in soybean and the potential application of genetic manipulation to enhance the salt tolerance of important crops. 

Hybrid necrosis is the gradual premature death of leaves or plants in certain F1 hybrids of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Comparison of protein expression in necrotic and normal wheat leaves showed that the abundance of 33 proteins was changed significantly, and 24 of these proteins were identified. These proteins were involved in plant growth and development, antioxidation, photosynthesis and carbon assimilation, amino acid and protein biosynthesis, cytological signal transduction, DNA and RNA modification, protein transport, folding and assembly according to their functions. The down-regulation of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and the up-regulation of lipoxygenases in necrotic leaves may be related to the oxidative stress in the necrotic cells. The heat shock proteins may play the cytoprotective role. The differential expression of photosynthesis and carbon assimilation related proteins indicated chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development were inhibited and might finally cause the gradual chlorosis and cell death in necrotic leaves. The results of this study give a comprehensive picture of the post-transcriptional response to necrosis in hybrid wheat leaves and serve as a platform for further characterization of gene function and regulation in wheat hybrid necrosis.