Abstract
RSOsPR10 gene was isolated as that induced by drought and salt treatment in rice roots. This gene shows high similarity to PBZ1 gene, which codes stress responsible protein in rice. The mRNA is induced exclusively in the roots by drought, salt, probenazole, infection with rice blast fungus, and jasmonic acid (JA).These results implied the possibility that the gene was related to defense response in rice roots. We introduced the sense gene into rice (cv. Nipponbare) and obtained several transformant lines, which expressed RSOsPR10 protein constantly in the leaves and roots. We investigated the tolerance for NaCl and drought using the seedlings and the seeds. All lines were more resistant to the stresses compared to wild type. Furthermore, the transformants grew faster and green color of the leaves was darker than that of wild type. These results indicate that RSOsPR10 protein might be related to abiotic stress tolerance in rice roots.
