Poster: Salinity

Abs # 101: LeCDPK1 AND PP2A1c ARE INVOLVED IN ABIOTIC STRESS RESPONSE IN TOMATO PLANTS

Presenter:	Capiati, Daniela A, dcapiati@dna.uba.ar
Authors	Capiati, Daniela A (A)   País, Silvia M (A)   Tellez-Iñón, María T (A)
Affiliations:	(A): INGEBI-CONICET-FCEyN-UBA
Web Site:	http://ingebi.dna.uba.ar

Plants have developed different mechanisms to avoid damage caused by exposure to different stress conditions as biotic (virus, fungus, herbivores) and abiotic (cold, drought, salinity) factors. The defensive response involves the activation of signal transduction pathways that lead to the modulation of gene expression. A tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) calcium-dependent protein kinase, LeCDPK1, was described previously in our lab (Chico et al., Plant Physiol, 2002). To obtain more information about the physiological roles of this kinase, LeCDPK1 expression and activity were determined in tomato plants exposed to different abiotic stresses. The kinase was induced by high salinity, drought and cold in different parts of the plant. Protein phosphatase PP2A1c expression under stress conditions was also investigated. Its expression was induced by high salinity and drought, but inhibited by cold treatment. The modulation of LeCDPK1 and PP2A1c by molecules which are known to mediate stress responses, such as systemin, jasmonic acid and ABA, was also studied. Supported by FONCyT, CONICET and UBA.