Using Arabidopsis-Related Model Species (ARMS): Growth, Mutagenesis and Screening of Eutrema Salsugineum

Eutrema salsugineum is an Arabidopsis-Related Model Species naturally adapted to harsh environments and tolerant to cold and high soil salinity. Growth requirements are very similar to those of Arabidopsis thaliana; however key differences in life cycle require special care. To generate a mutagenized population for forward genetic studies, we optimized the EMS (Ethyl Methanesulfonate) mutagenesis procedure for this species. We used ver162 mutant, developed in Dr. Jian-Kang Zhu's laboratory, which does not require vernalization and is therefore easier to handle in high throughput studies. Different EMS concentrations were tested and a refined protocol was developed based on the adverse effect on seed germination and the presence of albino sections on leaves. When bulk mutagenesis was performed using 0.6% EMS for 6 hours, we found over 12 plants that required vernalization in the resulting M-1 population, suggesting a possible reversion of the phenotype compared to background ver162, a further indication of the success of the mutagenesis. M-2 progeny was harvested in pools and screening in vitro for NaCl-hypersensitive phenotypes is now in progress.