title: Molecular characterization of RsMPK2, a C1 subgroup mitogen-activated protein kinase in the desert plant Reaumuria soongorica.
abstract: Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim. is a short woody shrub widely found in semi-arid areas of China, and can survive severe environmental stresses. To understand its potential signaling transduction pathway in stress tolerance, we investigated the participation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as possible mediators of abiotic stresses. A novel MAP kinase cDNA (RsMPK2) that encodes a 374 amino acid protein was isolated from R. soongorica. RsMPK2 belongs to the C1 subgroup, which is still functionally uncharacterized compared to groups A and B; and contains all 11 of the conserved MAPK subdomains and the TEY phosphorylation motif. RsMPK2 is expressed in vegetative (root, stem, leaf and callus) and reproductive (flower) organs. The transcripts of RsMPK2 were rapidly accumulated at high levels when R. soongorica was subjected to dehydration, salinity conditions and treatment with abscisic acid or hydrogen peroxide. Growth analysis of Escherichia coli (srl::Tn10) cells transformed with pPROEXHT-RsMPK2 showed that the expression products of RsMPK2 do not act as an osmoprotectant. But, the inhibition of RsMPK2 expression by the inhibitor U0126 induced a decrease of antioxidant enzyme activity under stresses, indicating that RsMPK2 is involved in the regulation of the antioxidant defense system in the response to stress signaling.
authors.affiliation: Extreme Stress Resistance and Biotechnology Laboratory, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Road 320, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province 730000, PR China. ybliu13@163.com
authors.forename: Yubing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xinrong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Huijuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Meiling
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000040:Abscisic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002070:Butadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D055864:Droughts; D017753:Ecosystem; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D015870:Gene Expression; D017343:Genes, Plant; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D009995:Osmosis; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D018514:Plant Structures; D055049:Salt Tolerance; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D032363:Tamaricaceae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002070:Butadienes; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D009570:Nitriles; D010940:Plant Proteins; C113580:U 0126; D000040:Abscisic Acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases