Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
seedlings with two equal shoots. The data reveal that shoot selection in pea
seedlings is regulated by apoptosis, via the stimulation of caspase-like
proteases (Belenghi et al., 2004).
DNA
H
ELICASE
47
Helicases play a role in nucleic acid metabolism and are sensitive to
abiotic stresses which decrease plant growth and productivity.
I
nduction of the
transcript of pea DNA helicase 47 (PDH47) occurs in both shoots and roots
under cold and salinity stress, but not drought stress. PDH47 is found in both
the nucleus and cytosol. Recombinant PDH47 exhibits ATP-dependent DNA
and RNA helicase and DNA-dependent ATPase activities, and 3' to 5' as well
as 5' to 3' directional helicase activities. Protein kinase C phosphorylates Ser
and Thr residues of PDH47 and stimulates the enzyme (Vashisht et al., 2005).
DNA
H
ELICASE
45
pea DNA helicase 45 (PDH45) shows dramatic resemblance to the
eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF-4A. Induction of PDH45 mRNA
occurs in pea seedlings upon exposure to high salt. Compared with wild type
plants, the T(0) transgenic plants have elevated levels of PDH45 protein under
normal and stress conditions and are tolerant to high salinity. The T(1)
transgenics can mature and develop normal viable seeds under salt stress
without any effect on plant yield regarding seed weight. PDH45
overexpression facilitates exploitation of DNA/RNA unwinding pathways for
engineering salinity tolerance without influencing crop yield (Sanan-Mishra et
al., 2005).
C
HROMATIN
-A
SSOCIATED
H
ISTONE
B
INDING
P
ROTEIN
Pisum sativum
p16 is a protein firmly anchored to chromatin through
histones especially H3 and H4 in ungerminated embryonic axes. p16 is a
nuclear protein although the protein is also present in other organelles. p16
might play a role in the changes that occur in chromatin during the processes
of seed maturation and germination (Castillo et al., 2002).
