Abstract
No previous study has been reported on the salt-modulated gene(s) of roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). Identifying the potentially novel transcripts responsible for salt stress tolerance in roselle will increase knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying salt stress responses. In this study, differential display reverse transcriptase PCR (DDRT-PCR) was used to compare the overall differences in gene expression between salt-stressed and control plants. A total of 81 primer combinations were used and false positive clones were rejected during a screening and quality control assay. The remaining nine cDNA transcript fragments were extracted from the gel, reamplified, cloned and sequenced. A homology search revealed that four transcripts showed significant homology with known genes. Out of five transcripts, real-time PCR demonstrated that four exhibited high expression in salt-stressed root tissues relative to the control and one transcript was down-regulated. These transcripts may be useful for improving tolerance in salt stress-sensitive plants. Keywords: Roselle, Hibiscus Sabdariffa L., differential display, salt-stress, differentially expressed transcripts, signal transduction. African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(53) 4775-4781
Highlights
Abiotic stresses such as high salinity, drought, extreme temperature and flooding are the main causes of crop loss worldwide, causing a reduction of more than 50% in the average crop yield, in developing countries (Bray et al, 2000)
Lane 1, RNA isolated from the control; lane 2, RNA isolated from a salt-stressed plant
Lane 2: RNA isolated from a salt-stressed plant
Summary
Abiotic stresses such as high salinity, drought, extreme temperature and flooding are the main causes of crop loss worldwide, causing a reduction of more than 50% in the average crop yield, in developing countries (Bray et al, 2000). PCR (DDRT-PCR) was used to identify and isolate saltinduced transcripts from Roselle roots under salt stress. RT-PCR reactions were performed with pairs of specific primers for each transcript that were designed on the basis of the H. sabdariffa cDNA sequence (Table 2).
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