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Rice gene expression in response to N-acetylchitooligosaccharide elicitor: comprehensive analysis by DNA microarray
Chiharu Akimoto-Tomiyama1, Katsumi Sakata, Junshi Yazaki
1Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba 305-8602, Japan. akimotoc@nias.affrc.go.jp
Plant Molecular Biology
|September 6, 2003
Summary
N-acetylchitooligosaccharides trigger rice cell defense responses by altering gene expression. Researchers identified numerous induced and repressed genes, including novel calcium-dependent protein kinases involved in signaling.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Biochemistry
- Plant pathology
Background:
- N-acetylchitooligosaccharides are recognized as potent elicitors in plant defense.
- Gene expression changes are crucial for mounting effective defense reactions in plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of N-acetylchitooctaose on gene expression in suspension-cultured rice cells.
- To identify specific defense-related genes and signaling pathways activated by N-acetylchitooctaose.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of 8987 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from N-acetylchitooctaose-treated rice cells.
- RNA gel blot analysis to validate microarray findings for selected genes.
Main Results:
- N-acetylchitooctaose treatment resulted in significant changes in gene expression, with 166 genes induced and 93 genes repressed.
- Among the 259 responsive ESTs, 18 were linked to signal transduction, including five calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs).
- Three novel CDPKs responsive to N-acetylchitooctaose were successfully isolated.
Conclusions:
- N-acetylchitooctaose profoundly influences rice cellular defense mechanisms through widespread gene expression modulation.
- Calcium-dependent protein kinases play a significant role in the signal transduction pathways activated by N-acetylchitooligosaccharides in rice.