title: Comparative functional analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum) zinc finger-containing glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins in response to abiotic stresses.
abstract: Although the functional roles of zinc finger-containing glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (RZs) have been characterized in several plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa), the physiological functions of RZs in wheat (Triticum aestivum) remain largely unknown. Here, the functional roles of the three wheat RZ family members, named TaRZ1, TaRZ2, and TaRZ3, were investigated using transgenic Arabidopsis plants under various abiotic stress conditions. Expression of TaRZs was markedly regulated by salt, dehydration, or cold stress. The TaRZ1 and TaRZ3 proteins were localized to the nucleus, whereas the TaRZ2 protein was localized to the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and cytoplasm. Germination of all three TaRZ-expressing transgenic Arabidopsis seeds was retarded compared with that of wild-type seeds under salt stress conditions, whereas germination of TaRZ2- or TaRZ3-expressing transgenic Arabidopsis seeds was retarded under dehydration stress conditions. Seedling growth of TaRZ1-expressing transgenic plants was severely inhibited under cold or salt stress conditions, and seedling growth of TaRZ2-expressing plants was inhibited under salt stress conditions. By contrast, expression of TaRZ3 did not affect seedling growth of transgenic plants under any of the stress conditions. In addition, expression of TaRZ2 conferred freeze tolerance in Arabidopsis. Taken together, these results suggest that different TaRZ family members play various roles in seed germination, seedling growth, and freeze tolerance in plants under abiotic stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Ji
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioenergy Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Ryeo Jin
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioenergy Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Chung
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hunseung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D055864:Droughts; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012492:Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014908:Triticum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D016335:Zinc Fingers
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012492:Salts