Abstract
Water shortage is a major environmental stress that causes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The increase in ROS production induces molecular responses, which are key factors in determining the level of plant tolerance to stresses, including drought. The aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of genes encoding MAPKs (MAPK3 and MAPK6), antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX and GPX) and enzymes involved in proline biosynthesis (P5CS and P5CR) in Triticum aestivum L. seedlings in response to short-term drought conditions. A series of wheat intervarietal substitution lines (ISCSLs) obtained by the substitution of single chromosomes from a drought-sensitive cultivar into the genetic background of a drought-tolerant cultivar was used. This source material allowed the chromosomal localization of the genetic elements involved in the response to the analyzed stress factor (drought). The results indicated that the initial plant response to drought stress resulted notably in changes in the expression of MAPK6 and CAT and both the P5CS and P5CR genes. Our results showed that the substitution of chromosomes 3B, 5A, 7B and 7D had the greatest impact on the expression level of all tested genes, which indicates that they contain genetic elements that have a significant function in controlling tolerance to water deficits in the wheat genome.
Highlights
Cereal crops are the basis of agricultural production in most countries
This study tested genes encoding two MAPKs (MAPK3 and MAPK6), three antioxidant enzymes (CAT, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX)) and two enzymes involved in proline biosynthesis (P5CS and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR))
The results suggest that kinase encoded by this gene may function in signal transduction but as negative regulator A decrease in MAPK3 expression was described for wheat under phosphorus deprivation[35] and for Cucumis sativus L. under drought conditions[54]
Summary
Cereal crops are the basis of agricultural production in most countries. Triticum aestivum L., as one of the most commonly cultivated cereals in the world (next to rice and maize), is important[1]. The results of previous studies indicate that genes encoding antioxidant enzymes are frequently important in developing plants with enhanced drought tolerance. Increased tolerance to drought and salt stress has been observed in Nicotiana tabacum that overexpress the APX gene[16]. OsMT1 gene overexpression indicates a higher level of CAT and APX activity and causes an increase in drought resistance[17]. It has been shown that the overexpression of the P5CS gene leads to an increase in proline accumulation and enhanced stress tolerance in tobacco[23,24] and wheat[25]. The induction of AtMAPK3 and AtMAPK6 genes was observed in A. thaliana that was exposed to excess cadmium and copper[41]
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