cDNA structure and expression patterns of a low-temperature-specific wheat gene tacr7

The low-temperature (2 degrees C)-specific wheat cDNA, pTACR7, represents a gene designated tacr7 from hard red winter wheat (HRWW; Triticum aestivum L. cv. Winoka). The term low-temperature-specific (LTS) is used because tacr7 is not induced by ABA or stresses such as salt, dehydration, and heat. pTACR7 was isolated by RT-PCR with mRNA from wheat crown tissue, the oligonucleotide primers derived from the barley cognate pHVCR8 (GenBank accession number L28091). Based on the deduced amino acid sequence, TACR7 is highly hydrophobic, with a single transmembrane domain and an amino acid bias for leucine (19%). Thus, the encoded protein TACR7 is unique among low-temperature-regulated wheat proteins described in the literature. Analysis of steady-state levels of tacr7 transcripts (630 nt) showed accumulation in wheat seedlings, crown tissue, and callus cultures after transfer from control (25 degrees C) to low temperature (2 degrees C). No detectable transcripts were observed by northern blot hybridization with pTACR7 probe from seedling or callus treated with ABA, salt, dehydration, or heat stress. tacr7 transcripts accumulated during 2 degrees C exposure to a greater amount in a freeze-resistant HRWW (FR; SD(mut)16029) than in a freeze-susceptible HRWW (FS; SD(mut)16169) crown tissue, with the largest difference between genotypes being 30% +/- 3% at 3 weeks.