Modulation of gene expression in ex vitro grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) by hormonal, oxidant and anti-oxidant stimuli

Authors

  • L. C. Carvalho LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
  • B. J. Vilela LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
  • S. Amáncio LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5073/vitis.2015.54.21-28

Keywords:

abscisic acid, cytokinins, DCMU, DPI, gene expression, jasmonate, oxidative stress

Abstract

When in vitro plantlets developed under low light conditions are exposed to high light upon transfer to ex vitro, it is common to observe symptoms of oxidative stress. In order to unravel more of what takes place in this phase of transition, paramount for plant survival, the present study focused on the expression of genes coding for proteins related with the metabolic pathways most affected upon transfer to ex vitro and monitored their expression in response to hormones and chemicals inducing alternative sinks for photosynthetic electron transport (PET) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The expression of eight genes was significantly downregulated after all the treatments: catalase, beta-glucosidase, cytochrome P450, vegetative storage protein 2, wak1, a calcium binding protein, a meprin and TRAF homology domain-containing protein and a serine/threonine kinase. It was possible to verify that abscisic acid (ABA) was able to revert light induced gene expression and that the PET inhibitors DCMU and DPI had the same effect as ABA. ABA and jasmonic acid showed parallel effects, as both induced the expression of the same set of genes. Finally, exogenous cytokinin, instead of enhancing the plant´s response to high light led to the downregulation of light-responsive genes.

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Published

2015-03-01

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