OsAPX4 gene response to several environmental stresses in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Expression of the gene, OsAPX4, coding for ascorbate peroxidase in leaves and roots of rice were induced by abiotic stresses, such as NaCl, NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000, H₂O₂, CuCl₂. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) over-expressing ascorbate peroxidase exhibited greater tolerance to NaCl and NaHCO₃ and transgenic Arabidopsis over-expressing OsAPX4 had a greater salt tolerance than wild-type plants in 1/2 Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 150, 200 mM NaCl and 5, 7.5 mM NaHCO₃. These results suggest that OsAPX4 plays an important role in multiple environmental stresses.

Keywords: Arabidopsis, Oryza sativa, thaliana, carbonic anhydrase ascorbate peroxides, gene expression stress

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5908-5913, 6 September, 2010