Microarray analysis of different expression profiles between wild-type and transgenic rice seedlings overexpression OsDREB1BI gene

Abstract

AbstractOverexpressed genes encoding the transcription factors of DREB/CBF can improve abiotic tolerance in transgenic plants. However, the mechanism of plant abiotic tolerance at the molecular level has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, the OsDREB1BI gene was introduced to Zhonghua 11, an Oryza sativa L. japonica variety. The rice plant hosting the OsDREB1BI gene showed an improved tolerance to low temperatures compared with wild-type plants. A total of 404 differentially expressed genes were detected in transgenic and wild-type rice plants by using the Affymetrix microarray system. Results showed that 180 or 224 genes were induced or suppressed, respectively. The functional classification of these differentially expressed genes indicated that such genes are involved in various metabolic pathways, including coding for stress-response-related proteins. The number of up-regulated genes (56) was greater than that of the down-regulated genes (24). Proteins with an unknown function constituted the highest proportion. The gene encoding an AP2 domaincontaining protein RAP2.8 was down-regulated in the transgenic rice plant. Many “hot” sites, where some up-regulated or down-regulated genes were clustered, were found in rice chromosomes.