To understand the role of small heat shock protein (sHSPs) in rice plant response to various stresses such as the heat and oxidative stresses, a cDNA encoding a 24.1 kDa mitochondrial small HSP (Oshsp24.1) was isolated from rice by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR. The deduced amino acid sequence shows very high similarity with other plant small HSPs. DNA gel blot analysis suggests that the rice genome contains more than one copy of Oshsp24.1. High level of expression of Oshsp24.1 transcript was observed in rice seedlings in response to heat, methyl viologen, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, salt and heavy metal stresses. Recombinant OsHSP24.1 protein was produced in E. coli cells for biochemical assay. The protein formed oligomeric complex when incubated with Sulfo-EGS (ethylene glycol bis (succinimidyl succinate)). Our results shows that Oshsp24.1 has an important role in abiotic stress response and have potential for developing stress-tolerant plants.

엽록제 small HSP의 기능을 조사하기 위하여 항상적으로 발현하는 형질전환 식물체를 작성하였다. 고온 스트레스 하에서의 형질전환 식물체의 고온내성을 chlorophyll 형광으로 측정하였다. Leaf disc를 고온조건에서 5분간 처리한 후, 광화학계 II의 불활성화를 나타내는 Fo 값의 증가 또는 Fv 값의 감소치를 조사하였다. 형질전환 식물체는 고온 스트레스 하에서의 이들 값의 증감율이 현격히 감소하였다. 또한 유식물체를 에서 45분간 처리한 후, 에서 계속적으로 배양하였을 때, 비형질전환 식물체는 전부 고사하였으나, 형질전환 식물체의 약 80%는 생존하였다. 이러한 결과는 엽록체 small HSP가 고온 스트레스 하에서 광합성기구를 보호하는데 있어서 중요한 기능을 담당하고 있음을 나타낸다.

고등식물에 있어서 엽록체에 존재하는 저 분자량 heat shock protein (smHSP)은 식물의 내열성 획득에 있어서 필수유전자임이 mutant를 이용한 유전학적인 연구에 의해 보고된 바 있다. 고온내성이 강한 작물인 벼로부터 엽록체 smHSP cDNA를 분리하고자 벼의 잎에서 분리한 mRNA로 작성한 cDNA library로부터 screening하였다. 선발된 smHSP cDNA는 1,026 bp의 염기로 구성되어 있었으며, 239개의 아미노산

We used a microarray dataset that is deposited in the public database to evaluate plant responses to heat stress and selected two genes, OsSHSP1 (Os03g16030) and OsSHSP2 (Os01g04380), that are highly expressed under heat stress in rice. OsSHSP1 and OsSHSP2 gene transcripts were highly induced in response to salt and drought. In addition, OsSHSP1 and OsSHSP2 gene transcripts were induced under ABA and SA. Subcellular localization of proteins of 35S::OsSHSP1 were associated with the cytosol, whereas those of and 35S::OsSHSP2 were associated with the cytosol and nucleus. Heterogeneous overexpression of both genes exhibited higher germination rates than those of wild-type plants under the salt treatment, but not under heat or drought stress. The network of both genes harboring 9 sHSPs as well as at least 13 other chaperone genes might support the idea of a role for sHSPs in the chaperone network. Our findings might provide clues to shed light on the molecular functions of OsSHSP1 and OsSHSP2 in response to abiotic stresses, especially heat stress.