Functional Genomics of Thellungiella

Thellungiella halophila (also T. salsuginea) is a close relative of Arabidopsis thaliana that is a genuine halophyte, able to tolerate seawater-strength sodium chloride concentrations. We have analyzed the small number of ESTs, approximately 1,600, that have been deposited in GenBank. These ESTs are derived from salt-stressed plants and represent a small but informative collection of the expression profile in a halophytic species. Its close relationship with Arabidopsis permits analyses that identify genes that are not present in Arabidopsis. Some such genes have been identified. It appears that many of the paralogs are duplicated genes in categories that are relevant for stress acclimation or defense.