Molecular cloning of oxygen-evolving enhancer genes induced by salt treatment in a halophyte, Salicornia europaea L

To understand the function of oxygen-evolving enhancer proteins (OEEs) in PSII, we cloned the complete nucleotide sequence of three OEE genes from Salicornia europaea cultured in a 3% NaCl solution and determined the effect of salt treatment on the expression levels of the OEE genes. The three OEE proteins were 89-74% identical to those of spinach. The expression of OEE1 gene was increased by NaCl treatment but not changed in OEE2 and OEE3. Therefore, the increases in the expression levels of Salicornia OEE1 gene may be important in maintaining the PSII activity in the presence of NaCl.