[show abstract][hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Drought and heat stress are among the abiotic factors causing the most severe damage on plant crops. Their combination is
quite common in dry and semi-dry regions worldwide and little is known about its effect on heat shock protein (HSP) profile
in wheat plants. The expression of four HSP genes (Hsp 17.8, Hsp 26.3, Hsp 70 and Hsp 101b) in Triticum aestivum L. plants subjected to individually applied water deprivation or high temperature and their combination was monitored via
one-step RT-PCR analysis. Changes in the expression levels of small HSPs (smHSPs), HSP70 and HSP100 were established also
by SDS-PAGE. The combination of drought and heat induced HSP expression more effectively than the individually applied stresses.
The induction of HSPs displayed greater rate in the drought-tolerant wheat variety Katya than in the drought-sensitive cv.
Sadovo. The results obtained in wheat plants suggested that the effect of separately applied drought and heat shock cannot
be extrapolated to their combination.
KeywordsHeat shock proteins–Drought–Heat stress–Combined drought and heat stress–Wheat–One step RT-PCR analysis
Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 05/2012; 33(5):2041-2049. · 1.64 Impact Factor