cDNA clones for salt-inducible genes from mustard (Brassica juncea)

Treatment of a salt tolerant variety of mustard (Brassica juncea cv RH30), with 0.2M NaCl for 96 hr was found to induce synthesis of three new polypeptides and accumulation of proline. A cDNA library from mRNAs derived from salt stressed plants was constructed in the expression vector lambda gt11. Screening by differential hybridization and by salt stress specific antibodies gave two clones msc1 and msc2 (mustard salt clone) respectively. msc1 hybridized to transcripts from salt stressed mustard seedlings only after 48 hr of 0.2M NaCl stress as also to transcripts from drought stress induced by 10% PEG for 24 hr. msc 1 cross hybridized with msc2 clone. The results show the common mechanism of stress response as elicited in other plants.