Enhanced tolerance to NaCl and LiCl stresses by over-expressing Caragana korshinskii sodium/proton exchanger 1 (CkNHX1) and the hydrophilic C terminus is required for the activity of CkNHX1 in Atsos3-1 mutant and yeast

► CkNHX1 was isolated from Caragana korshinskii. ► CkNHX1 was expressed mainly in roots, and significantly induced by NaCl in stems. ► Expression of CkNHX1 enhanced the resistance to NaCl and LiCl in yeast and Atsos3-1. ► Expression of CkNHX1-ΔC had little effect on NaCl/LiCl tolerance in Atsos3-1. ► C-terminal region of CkNHX1 is required for its Na+ and Li+ transporting activity.