Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes of Rice Under Cadmium Stress Using DDRT-PCR Approach

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the hazardous environmental pollutants, and it can be harmful to human health through consumption of food-plants capable of bioaccumulating Cd. Therefore, lowering cadmium accumulation in plants is highly desirable. Here, a rice cultivar 'Qisanzhan' was studied using differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR). Fifty-six differentially expressed genes were found in the root tips of 4-leaf stage rice seedlings exposed to 4 and 12 h of 50 µmol/L Cd(NO₃)₂ in a nutrient solution using DDRT-PCR. Further validation using semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the expression patterns of 16 genes were consistent with those found in DDRT-PCR. These genes encode receptor-like protein kinase, pleiotropic drug resistance protein, aquaporin protein, plasma membrane ATPase, etc. The differentially genes identified here can be used to obtain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Cd absorption and accumulation in plants.