Proline is known as an osmotrotectant to enhance tolerance against both salt and dehydration stresses. A P5CS (δ1 -pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase) plays a major role in regulation of synthesis of proline. An overexpression of the mothbean P5CS gene in transgenic tobacco plant increased the levels of proline and osmotolerance. In an attempt to look for the possibility to use content of proline as well as a level of P5CS gene expression as molecular markers for salt tolerance, the amounts of proline and transcript levels of P5CS were measured as functions of either concentration of NaCl or length of treatment period among different species of zoysiagrass. Hybridzoysia showed the highest level of proline (329~mu~textrmg /g.f.w.) among five different species of zoysiagrass at 250 mM NaCl in 24 hours. The level of P5CS transcript was also the highest in the hybridzoysia at 250 mM NaCl in 24 hours. The transcriptions of P5CS gene were induced at the rates of 1.2, 1.2, 1.8, and 1.8, upon treatment of 250 mM NaCl in Z. japonica, Z. matrella, Z. sinica and hybridzoysia respectively. Based on a correlation between the level of P5CS transcript and the proline content among different species of zoysiagrass, a comparative structural analysis of the gene for P5CS from either Z. sinica or hybridzoysia may lead to an understanding of mechanism for salt tolerance shown differently among zoysiagrasses.

• Dong Joon Lee
• Cheol Ho Hwang