Full Length Research Paper

A plasma membrane H⁺ATPase gene is germination-induced in wheat embryos

Mahmut Caliskan¹*, Stavros Bashiardes² and Andrew C. Cuming²

¹Mustafa Kemal University, Biology Dept. 31024  Hatay-Turkey.

²University of Leeds, Department of Genetics LS2 9JT Leeds-England.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: caliskanm@gmail.com. Tel: +905326562209.

Fax: +903262455867.

Accepted 15 May, 2009

   Abstract

The expression pattern of a germination specific plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase was analyzed by RT-PCR and in situ RNA hybridization methods. RT-PCR results revealed that germination specific plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase accumulation was detectable in all organs and tissues of germinating wheat embryos. H⁺-ATPase expression was not observed in dry wheat embryos and in immature wheat embryos. In situ RNA hybridization indicated that germination specific plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase gene expression was associated with all organs of germinating wheat tissues. The accumulation of H⁺-ATPase mRNA was more heavily on the cells of vascular bundles and epidermal cells of coleoptiles. Since germination specific plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase gene was identified as a growth related gene, interest was focused on the activity of growth regulators (GA, IAA, ABA) and stress factors, NaCl and Mannitol, on H⁺-ATPase gene expression. The results indicated that there were not any dramatic changes in the accumulation of germination specific plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase gene in any case. More rigorous analysis is necessary to evaluate the effect of growth regulators on germination specific plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase.

Key words: Biosynthesis, cereals, DNA, enzymes, physiology, plant cell culture.