Detection of Stably Expressed Genes Contributing To PCD Triggered by Exogenous Oxalic Acid Treatment in Tobacco

The present study aims at detecting genes expressed at stable levels and contributing to PCD triggered by exogenous oxalic acid (OA) treatment (20 mM, pH 7.0) in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). Qualitative and quantitative time-course analysis of cell death indicated some PCD-like features 24 hrs after OA treatment. Expression of a number of 17 genes contributing to PCD was also examined. Results of cell death in virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) corresponding to 14, out of the 17, genes indicated either increased or reduced amount of cell death. However, RT-PCR for the relative abundance of transcripts of these genes in tobacco wild type (WT) indicated that expression of six genes is not regulated at the transcriptional level. These genes are MAPKα, NRC1, WIPK, RAR1, SIPK and FLS2. The results of VIGS corresponding to five, out of the six, genes indicated a reduced relative amount of cell death under OA treatment for 24 hrs as compared to the WT. Only one VIGS corresponding to FLS2 gene resulted in an increased amount of cell death under OA treatment for 24 hrs. This indicates that OA triggers PCD, but has no influence on triggering these six PCD-related genes. Besides, these six genes might be regulated at step(s) downstream transcription. Our results will scope the light on the possible use of these genes in conferring resistance to environmental stimuli by retarding the machinery of PCD in plant. [A. Bahieldin, A.M. Ramadan, A. Atef, N.O. Gadalla, S. Edris, A.M. Shokry, S.M. Hassan, H.F. Eissa, K.B.H. Kamal, S. Rabah, O.A. Abuzinadah, M.A. Al-Kordy and F.M. El-Domyati. Detection of Stably Expressed Genes Contributing To PCD Triggered by Exogenous Oxalic Acid Treatment in Tobacco. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):50275034] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 753