Selenium priming enhances the expression of Sec A translocase in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Selenium (Se) priming has emerged as a promising technique to enhance stress tolerance and physiological functions in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects, particularly on the Sec A protein translocase subunit, remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of Se priming on common bean seedlings, focusing on the expression of Sec A protein translocase and its implications for stress resilience and growth. Common bean seeds were primed with varying concentrations of anhydrous sodium selenite, and subsequent analyses revealed increased levels of sugars and proline in selenium-primed seedlings, indicating enhanced phosphorus stress tolerance. Proteomic investigation demonstrated elevated expression of the Sec A protein translocase subunit in Se-primed plants, that coincided with the similar expression at RNA level, suggesting that the said protein has role in imparting phosphorus stress tolerance in case of common beans. These findings underscore the potential of selenium priming to enhance plant resilience to environmental stresses, with implications for sustainable agriculture. As such a new gene has been identified induced due to Se priming providing tolerance to phosphorus stress in case of common bean.