Comparative Analyses of Abscisic Acid Responses in Plants

Abstract

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is a key mediator of various physiological and developmental processes in plants. It plays a major role in eliciting stress responses via a complex network of signaling pathways. We are using a rice suspension cell culture system and monitoring the effects of ABA exposure. These changes are being followed at the levels of both protein and metabolites. Proteomic profiles are monitored using iTRAQ peptide tagging and DIGE, complementary approaches that provide information about abundance and changes in post translational modifications. Metabolomic analysis is also being conducted simultaneously using metabolite extracts to monitor carbohydrate, organic acid and amino acid profiles through GC-MS technology. A quantitative PCR analysis on a set of known ABA response regulators was performed in parallel to validate ABA responses. These investigations are beginning to allow an understanding of relative protein abundance changes, metabolite responses and provide insights into ABA effects at the molecular and cellular levels.