mRNA of StCDPK1 is expressed in roots and vascular system and targeted by micro RNAs

SANTIN FRANCO; FANTINO, ELISA; BOGHALE, SNEHA; BANERJEE, ANJAN KUMAR; ULLOA RITA M

Buenos Aires

Congreso; SAIB 2013; 2013

SAIB

Plant calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are calcium sensors that play important roles regulating plant growth and development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. These enzymes are subjected to complex regulation at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. StCDPK1 is expressed during stolon to tuber transition in potato plants. In silico analysis of StCDPK1 promoter sequence predicted a wide variety of cis-acting regulatory elements among which a number of defense and stress responsive elements are evident. Here, we show the expression profile of StCDPK1 revealed by potato transgenic lines harboring â-glucuronidase (GUS) driven by StCDPK1 promoter. GUS expression was detected by both histochemical staining and fluorometry. Promoter activity was significant in roots, but also in stems, leaf veins and branching points. We have further confirmed high promoter activity in roots in stable transgenic lines harboring green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of StCDPK1 promoter. In addition, our preliminary in silico analysis revealed two miRNAs (miRNA390 and mRNA414a) that could potentially target StCDPK1. RT-PCR assays validated the presence of these miRNAs in whole plant and stolons. Isolation of precursors and cloning of these miRNAs are in progress. This work was financed by CONICET, UBACYT and MINCYT (Argentina)-DST (India).