Abstract
We have isolated a cDNA clone for wpi6, which encodes a 5.9kDa hydrophobic protein from cold acclimated winter wheat. The predicted protein of wpi6 possesses two membrane-spanning domains, the sequence of which shows high homology with BLT101-family proteins from plants and yeast. Strong induction of wpi6 mRNA was observed in cold-treated root and shoot tissues of both winter and spring wheat cultivars. In contrast to blt101 in barley, wpi6 mRNA was also induced by drought and salinity stresses, and exogenous application of ABA. Expression of wpi6::GFP in an epidermal cell of onion revealed that WPI6 is localized in the plasma membrane. Taken together, these data suggested that the WPI6 might have a protective role in maintaining plasma membrane function during cold acclimation in wheat. We will also present the characterization of the possible transposable element Xumet found in the promoter of blt101 but not of wpi6.
