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Cytosolic calcium is involved in the regulation of barley hemoglobin gene expression

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Abstract

Hemoglobin gene expression is upregulated during hypoxia. To determine whether the induction occurs via similar mechanisms that have been proposed for other hypoxically induced proteins, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) aleurone layers were treated with various agents that interfere with known components of signal transduction. Ruthenium red, an organelle calcium channel blocker, inhibited anoxia-induced hemoglobin (Hb) and alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) (Adh) gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. The divalent ionophore, A23187, combined with EGTA also dramatically reduced anoxia-induced Hb and Adh expression. Normal induction of Hb by anoxia in EGTA-treated cells was restored by adding exogenous Ca2+ but not Mg2+, suggesting that cytosolic calcium is involved in Hb and Adh regulation. W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, did not affect anaerobically induced Hb and Adh expression even though it induced Hb under aerobiosis. A3, a protein kinase inhibitor, did not significantly affect anaerobically induced Hb, but did significantly upregulate the gene under aerobic conditions. The results indicate that calmodulin-independent anaerobic alteration in cytosolic Ca2+ and protein dephosphorylation are factors in Hb induction.

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Abbreviations

Adh :

Alcohol dehydrogenase

CaM :

Calmodulin

GA :

Gibberellic acid

EGTA :

Ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid

Hb :

Hemoglobin

IDC :

Iodine dextrin color

RR :

Ruthenium red

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Acknowledgements

The financial support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (grants OGP 4698 and STR 149182 to RDH) is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Xianzhou Nie

    Present address: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 850 Lincoln Rd, Fredericton, 20280, E3B 4Z7, NB, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, R3T 2N2, MB, Winnipeg, Canada

    Xianzhou Nie, Douglas C. Durnin, Abir U. Igamberdiev & Robert D. Hill

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  1. Xianzhou Nie
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  2. Douglas C. Durnin
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  3. Abir U. Igamberdiev
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  4. Robert D. Hill
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Correspondence to Robert D. Hill.

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Nie, X., Durnin, D.C., Igamberdiev, A.U. et al. Cytosolic calcium is involved in the regulation of barley hemoglobin gene expression. Planta 223, 542–549 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-0094-y

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