HKT1 (TRAESCS2A02G430600) — triticum aestivum

Summary

TRAESCS2A02G430600, designated TaHKT1 on chromosome 2A of bread wheat, encodes a transmembrane cation transporter with sodium and potassium transporter activities, belonging to the TrkH/K-transport family. The gene is associated with regulation of sodium transporter activity, sodium ion membrane transport, potassium ion membrane transport, potassium ion homeostasis, osmotic response, and seedling development. TaHKT1 has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including grain number per spikelet, grain weight per spike, fruiting efficiency, spikelet fertility, peduncle length, flag leaf angle, canopy temperature, coleoptile length, root weight, stem length, and winter survival. It is also associated with salt stress tolerance, sodium accumulation and distribution, potassium retention, and seed germination under salt stress. The protein localises to the plasma membrane, Golgi membrane, ER membrane, and mitochondria. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to sodium transport, ion homeostasis, and salt tolerance.