title: BrUGE1 transgenic rice showed improved growth performance with enhanced drought tolerance.
abstract: UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (UGE) catalyzes the reversible conversion of UDP-glucose to UDP-galactose. To understand the biological function of UGE from Brassica rapa, the gene BrUGE1 was cloned and introduced into the genome of wild type rice 'Gopum' using the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method. Four lines which carried a single copy gene were selected and forwarded to T3 generation. Agronomic traits evaluation of the transgenic T3 lines (CB01, CB03, and CB06) under optimal field conditions revealed enriched biomass production particularly in panicle length, number of productive tillers, number of spikelets per panicle, and filled spikelets. These remarkably improved agronomic traits were ascribed to a higher photosynthetic rate complemented with higher CO2 assimilation. Transcripts of BrUGE1 in transgenic lines continuously accumulated at higher levels after the 20% PEG6000 treatment, implying its probable role in drought stress regulation. This was paralleled by rapid accumulation of soluble sugars which act as osmoprotectants, leading to delayed leaf rolling and drying. Our findings suggest the potential of BrUGE1 in improving rice growth performance under optimal and water deficit conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University , Cheongju 28644 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sailila E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Abdula
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University , Cheongju 28644 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University , Cheongju 28644 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joonki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University , Cheongju 28644 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Marjohn C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Niño
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Hankyong National University , Ansung 17579 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yu-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Crop Science , Jeollabuk-do 55365 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Sunchon National University , Sunchon 57922 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Illsup
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nou
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Hankyong National University , Ansung 17579 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwon-Kyoo
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University , Cheongju 28644 , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Gu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: UDP-glucose 4-epimerase; biomass; drought; rice