Fig. 7.

ABI4 and VTC2 coordinately regulate salinity-inhibited seedling growth through ascorbic acid (AsA) scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under normal conditions, the lower levels of the expression of ABI4 give rise to higher levels of VTC2 expression and AsA contents to scavenge ROS. Under salinity stress, ABI4 is induced and suppresses VTC2 expression. The decreased expression of VTC2 causes reduced AsA production at the early stage of salt stress; thus, more ROS is accumulated in plants. High levels of ROS can cause seedling growth inhibition or death