PLANT PHYSIOLOGY , Vol 108, Issue 2 795-803, Copyright © 1995 by American Society of Plant Biologists
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WHOLE PLANT, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND STRESS PHYSIOLOGY |
Expression of a Low-Temperature-Induced Protein in Brassica napus
J. G. Boothe, M. D. de Beus and A. M. Johnson-Flanagan
Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5
BN28 is a low-temperature-induced, boiling-soluble protein in Brassica
napus. We used antibodies raised against a recombinant BN28 to examine the
expression of this protein in cold-acclimating plants and to investigate
its relationship to plant freezing tolerance. Changes in the steady-state
levels of BN28 protein appear to lag several days behind those of the mRNA.
BN28 is first detected on immunoblots after approximately 8 d of exposure
to low temperature, and thereafter levels remain stable while plants are
maintained at 4[deg]C. Radiolabeling studies indicate that BN28 is
synthesized at a relatively low rate. A decline in protein levels is
observed soon after returning plants to control temperatures, and little or
no protein can be detected after 7 d of deacclimation. The disappearance of
the protein precedes a loss in freezing tolerance, suggesting that BN28 is
not involved in maintaining plasma membrane integrity. Expression of BN28
is observed primarily in leaves and appears to be low-temperature specific.
Quantitative analysis indicated that BN28 accumulates to approximately 82.7
pmol mg-1 total protein in cold-acclimated leaves. This concentration is
similar to that reported for two group 2 late-embryogenesis-abundant-like
proteins.