Comparative expression of five Lea Genes during wheat seed development and in response to abiotic stresses by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.

Gene expression profiles of group 2 (dehydrins) and group 4 Late embryogenesis abundant (Lea) genes in developing seeds of Triticum durum and T. aestivum and in coleoptiles and coleorhizae of T. durum seedlings were monitored by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The five genes exhibited clear differences in their accumulation pattern in wheat seed and in response to dehydration, low temperature, salinity and ABA. Td29b, Td16 and Td27e gene transcripts accumulate late in embryogenesis as expected for Lea genes, Td11 gene transcripts were present throughout seed development whereas no Td25a gene transcripts were detected in seeds. Drastic changes in the relative levels of Td29b, Td16, Td27e and Td11 transcripts occurred at the shift between the cell expansion and desiccation phases. All genes except the Td11 gene are more highly induced by dehydration in coleorhizae than in coleoptiles. In contrast, response to low temperature, salinity or ABA is higher in coleoptiles than in coleorhizae. Depending on both the gene and on the type of stress, a wide range of induction levels (8- to 100,000-fold) was observed.