Effect of NaCl stress on protein pattern changes in embryogenic callus of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Ashkar

Effect of NaCl stress on changes in protein pattern of embryognic callus of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Ashkar, was investigated. Under salt stress conditions, fresh weight of the embryogenic callus decreased significantly. SDS-PAGE of protein extracted from embryogenic callus subjected to NaCl stress (0, 80, 160, 240, and 320), revealed the synthesis of new proteins. As salinity increased, the number and molecular weight of the new proteins decreased. At 240 mM NaCl and 320 mM NaCl, the following molecular weight proteins appeared on the gel: 35.0, 43.0, 59.0, 31.0, 34.0, and 54.0 kDa for both NaCl levels respectively. It is concluded that salinity stress induced the synthesis of new proteins which may play an important role in salinity tolerance of the date palm.