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Title: CLONING AND EXPRESSIOIN OF A DEHYDRIN-LIKE PROTEIN FROM PISTACHIA VERA L.

Author
item YAKUBOV, BAKHTIYOR - U OF THE NEGEV,ISRAEL
item BARAZANI, OZ - U OF THE NEGEV,ISRAEL
item SHACHACK, AVIV - U OF THE NEGEV,ISRAEL
item Rowland, Lisa
item SHOSEYOV, ODED - U OF JERUSALEM, ISRAEL
item GOLAN-GOLDHIRSH, AVI - U OF THE NEGEV, ISRAEL

Submitted to: Trees: Structure and Function
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/28/2004
Publication Date: 2/1/2005
Citation: Yakubov, B., Barazani, O., Shachack, A., Rowland, L.J., Shoseyov, O., Golan-Goldhirsh, A. 2005. Cloning and expression of a dehydrin-like protein from pistachia vera L. Trees-Structure and Function 19:224-230.

Interpretive Summary: Pistachio is a characteristic arid zone tree species, which is exposed to extreme temperatures and drought. Thus, we believe it as a good system for the isolation and characterization of plant genes involved in drought and cold tolerance. Previously, we have identified a protein in pistachio associated with drought and cold tolerance, which is a member of a class of plant proteins known as dehydrins. Here, we report isolating this dehydrin gene from pistachio. The gene was sequenced and its expression was studied in various tissues. Microscopy studies revealed that the protein was present in the cell cytoplasm and localized to the outer leaves (scales) of the flower bud and in the inner bark cells during winter. Isolation of genes associated with cold and drought tolerance will help scientists to develop new, more cold and drought tolerant plants.

Technical Abstract: A full-length dehydrin-like cDNA clone was obtained from a Pistacia vera L. cDNA library. The clone was sequenced and it was found that the deduced protein consists of 230 amino acids with a molecular weight of 25.87 kDa. The glycine rich protein is highly hydrophilic, contains 47.4% charged amino acids and belongs to the Kn-type of dehydrins. It is comprised of 5 repetitive units, each containing the K-segment diagnostic of dehydrins, but no serine tract (S-segment) and no Y-segment. Temporally, accumulation of the dehydrin transcript coincides with accumulation of the protein, which remains high in the bud scales of the infloresence throughout winter. The dehydrin protein accumulates in the outer leaves (scales) of the inflorescence bud and in the bark of one year old stems. It is mostly concentrated in the palisade-like cells underneath the epidermis in the bud and in the inner bark parenchyma. Immunogold labeling revealed that it is a cytoplasmic protein with no specific organellar localization. It is suggested that the dehydrin of pistachio may have a dual function, a role in drought and cold tolerances, as well as serving as a storage protein.