Molecular Characterization of Chilling-induced Rice RING Finger Ligase 1 (OsCRF1): Expression Pattern, In vitro Ubiquitination Assay, and Subcellular Localization

Abstract

Cold stress, which includes chilling (0-15°C) and/or freezing (< 0°C), limits the spatial distribution and seasonal growth pattern of crops, and adversely affects plant growth and development (Zhu et al., 2007; Adam and Murthy, 2013). Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major staple crop and feeds over half the world's population (Zhang et al., 2011); however, this crop is highly vulnerable to cold stress, especially during the reproductive stage (Broad et al., 1980). When rice plants are exposed to chilling stress, seedlings exhibit slow growth, withering, yellowing, and reduced tillering in vegetative stage (Ye et al., 2009). In addition, chilling stress causes delayed heading, inhibition in panicle opening, poor pollen growth, pollen sterility, and reduces the number of spikelet as well as the panicle area during the reproductive stage (Jacob and Pearson 1999; Andaya and Mackill 2003). Gene regulation under chilling stress is well-understood in typical temperate crops such as barley, wheat, rye, among others (Chinnuisamy