Comparative analysis of drought resistance genes in Arabidopsis and rice

Keywords: rice, Arabidopsis, drought, genetic mapping,<span class=SpellE>microarray</span>, transcription factor, AP2/ERF, SHINE, wax, stomata, comparative genetics, activation tagging, Ac/Ds, En/I<o:p></o:p></span>This thesis describes the use of genomics information and tools from Arabidopsis and rice to understand the mechanisms controlling drought resistance. Genetic mapping in a rice population revealed that around 30% of variation for grain yield under drought was controlled by a locus close to the dwarfing gene responsible for the "Green Revolution".Analysis of all Arabidopsis genes using whole genome microarrays revealed a set of transcription factors and other regulatory genes that were differentially expressed during drought and in drought resistant genotypes. Using the complete genome sequence of rice, highly similar rice genes could be identified to these Arabidopsis drought related genes. The Arabidopsis SHINE gene encoding an AP2/ERF transcription factor was introduced into rice and produced rice plants that showed enhanced drought resistance. Likewise, a rice gene similar to the Arabidopsis SHINE was identified and on introduction into Arabidopsis also displayed drought resistance indicating conserved stress tolerance mechanisms