Expression and comperative functional analysis of water stress related genes in trees and in the desiccation tolerant plant craterostigma plantagineum Final scientific report (1.1.95 - 31.12.97)

In order to understand molecular mechanisms which contribute to desiccation tolerance in higher plants, and to partially elucidate their possible functions, our focal points were the role of Lea proteins (according to the proposal) and, in addition, the role of putative aquaporins. During dehydration plant cells accumulate Lea proteins which are thought to have a protective role during desiccation. One major group are Lea proteins which accumulate constitutively at high levels at late stages of embryogenesis. The German investigator concentrated their studies on the Lea Dsp16 protein from the desiccation tolerant resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum. This protein accumulates to very high levels in vegetative tissues (leaves and roots) in C. plantagineum and was therefore chosen for our studies. An homologous protein (BspA from Populus tremula), investigated by the Israeli investigators, also accumulates in poplars in response to water stress. Whereas the Israeli lab concentrated on the physiological role and molecular examination in poplar, the German investigator initiated a biochemical characterization of the protein, which up to date had been not done although it was discovered in cotton more than ten years ago. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F98B1583+a / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekGerman-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF), Oberschleissheim (Germany)DEGerman