The level of proapoptotic gene transcripts in wheat leaves under high temperature stress.

Under exposure of wheat plants to high temperatures (33, 37, and 43°C), the level of transcripts of the genes encoding proapoptotic proteins-TaMCAII (encodes type II metacaspase) and TaBAX (functional homologue of the CDF1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana)-in leaf cells increased. This process at temperatures of 37 and 43°C passed ahead of (in the case of TaBAX mRNA) or was accompanied by (in the case of TaMCAII mRNA) the emergence of signs of nucleosomal DNA degradation in leaves. The accumulation of malondialdehyde in the leaves of seedlings exposed to temperatures of 37 and 43°C coincided in time with a change in the TaMCAII gene expression and the emergence of signs of programmed cell death.