Poster: Temperature responses

Abs # 149: Stress-inducible over-expression of transcription factor DREB1A in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge)

Presenter:	James, Victoria A., vajames@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
Authors	James, Victoria A. (A)   Altpeter, Fredy  (A)   Positano, Mark V. (A)
Affiliations:	(A): University of Florida, IFAS, Agronomy Department

Stress-inducible transcription factors are capable of activating the expression of multiple genes involved in protection against environmental stresses. Over-expression of a single transcription factor of the C-repeat / dehydration-responsive element (C/DRE) pathway, DREB1A (CBF3), in transgenic Arabidopsis enhanced freezing and drought tolerance with concomitant expression of target genes (Kasuga et al. 1999). Bahiagrass is an important turf and forage grass in the Southern US. Our goal is to further enhance the productivity and persistence of bahiagrass during seasonal periods of drought and / or freezing. We describe an efficient protocol for tissue culture and gene transfer to bahiagrass, which is currently used for the stable integration and over-expression of stress inducible transcription factors and analysis of stress inducible promoter candidates. A DREB1A transcription factor ortholog (BCBF3) was isolated from xeric, wild barley and a transformation vector placing this gene under control of the stress-inducible barley HVA1s promoter has been constructed. Stress-inducible transgene expression in bahiagrass will be discussed.