Differential Expressions of Two-Component Element Genes in Rice Under Drought Stress

The objectives of this study were to gain insight into the temporal and spatial expression patterns of two-component system (TCS) genes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought stress and to understand the relationship between TCS gene expression and drought resistance. Using a whole rice genome microarray, the expression profiles of TCS genes of rice lines with different drought resistance were analyzed at various growth stages. The TCS genes showed greatly difference of expression pattern in various organs but in similar patterns in the same tissues at different stages. Genes for type-A response regulator (RR), a negative regulator of cytokinin (CK) signaling, were mostly repressed by drought stress, whereas, genes for type-B RR with an opposite role to type-A RR were mostly induced by drought stress. These changes were supposed to be related to the enhancement of CK signaling under drought stress. This supposition was confirmed by the down regulation of ethylene receptor genes and the cross-talk of hormones under drought condition. The His kinase genes (HK5 and HK3) that are homologous to CK receptor genes (AHK2, AHK3, and CRE1) in Arabidopsis were induced by drought stress. However, HK6 homologous to AHK5 (CK-independent 2, CKI2) was repressed when exposed to drought stress. These results provided further confirmations of the above supposition. In drought resistant introgression lines and IR64, no significant differences of TCS gene expression profiles were observed under drought stress. This result indicates that the TCS genes are probably in relation to drought responsiveness.