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Evidence for the up-regulation of stearoyl-ACP (Δ9) desaturase gene expression during cold acclimation

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Abstract

Our previous studies demonstrated that an increase in 18:2 (linoleate) in the purified plasma membrane fraction during cold acclimation is associated with genetic variations in cold acclimation capacity. This increase was found only in genotypes that are able to cold acclimate and was reversible on deacclimation suggesting a link between the accumulation of 18:2 and acquisition of freezing tolerance. The present study was aimed at understanding the association between the induction of stearoyl-ACP (acyl carrier protein) (Δ9) desaturase and the ability to cold acclimate. Our approach was to study the induction of Δ9 desaturase at the transcript level using potato Δ9 desaturase gene-specific primers and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For this purpose, total RNA fromSolanum tuberosum (cold sensitive, unable to acclimate) andSolanum commersonii (cold tolerant, able to cold acclimate) was extracted before and after cold acclimation. RT-PCR produced a single band and sequence analysis confirmed that the amplified band was Δ9 desaturase. While the cold acclimating species,Solanum commersonii, exhibited an increase in Δ9 desaturase transcript levels after cold acclimation, the cold non-acclimating species,Solanum tuberosum, exhibited no change. Our results show that the increase in Δ9 desaturase gene transcripts during cold acclimation is associated with the cold acclimation response in potato.

Resumen

Estudios realizados en nuestro laboratorio han demostrado que durante la acclimatación a bajas temperaturas existe un incremento del ácido linoleico (18:2) en la membrana plasmática. Dicho incremento está asociado con la variación genética observada en la capacidad de aclimatación en papa. Este incremento fue encontrado únicamente en los genotipos capaces de aclimatarse y fue reversible durante la deaclimatacion sugiriendo que existe una relacion entre acumulación de 18:2 y adquisición de resistencia a bajas temperaturas. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar la asociación entre la inducción de la desaturasa stearoyl-ACP (proteina portadora de acyl) (Δ9) y la habilidad de aclimatarse a bajas temperaturas. Para ello se estudió la inducción de la desaturasa Δ9 a nivel the transcripción utilizando primers especificos para el gen de desaturasa de papa mediante reacción de polimerasa en cadena de transcripción reversa (RT-PCR). Se extrajo el ARN total deSolanum tuberosum (sensible a heladas, incapaz de aclimatarse a bajas temperaturas) ySolanum commersonii (resistente a heladas, capaz de aclimatarse a bajas temperaturas) antes y después del proceso de aclimatación. RT-PCR produjo una sohl banda y el análisis de la secuencia confirmó que la banda amplificada era desaturasa Δ9. Mientras que la especie capaz de aclimatarse,Solanum commersonii, exhibió un incremento en los niveles de transcripción de la desaturasa Δ9 después de la aclimatación, la especie incapaz de aclimatarse,Solanum tuberosum, no exhibió ningún cambio. Nuestros resultados demuestran que el incremento en la transcripción del gen de desaturasa Δ9 durante la aclimatación a bajas temperaturas está asociado con la capacidad de aclimatación a bajas temperaturas en papa.

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Abbreviations

ACCRFT:

acclimated relative freezing tolerance

ACP:

acyl carrier protein

bp:

base pair

CAC:

cold acclimation capacity

NARFT:

non-acclimated relative freezing tolerance

PAR:

photosynthetically active radiation

RFT:

relative freezing tolerance

RT-PCR:

reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, 1575 Linden Drive, 53706, Madison, WI

    Sandra E. Vega, Alfonso H. del Rio & Jiwan P. Palta

  2. Inter-Regional Potato Introduction Station, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, 4312 Hwy 42, 54235, Sturgeon Bay, WI

    John B. Bamberg

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  1. Sandra E. Vega
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  2. Alfonso H. del Rio
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  3. John B. Bamberg
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  4. Jiwan P. Palta
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Correspondence to Jiwan P. Palta.

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Vega, S.E., del Rio, A.H., Bamberg, J.B. et al. Evidence for the up-regulation of stearoyl-ACP (Δ9) desaturase gene expression during cold acclimation. Am. J. Pot Res 81, 125–135 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853610

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