Expression Analysis of TaNAC69-1 and TtNAMB-2, Wheat NAC Family Transcription Factor Genes Under Abiotic Stress Conditions in Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum)

Abstract

NAC-type plant-specific transcription factor genes encode proteins that play important roles in abiotic stress responses, as well as regulation of plant development. In the current study, expression profiles of wheat NAC-type transcription factor genes, TaNAC69-1 and TtNAMB-2, were examined under drought, salt, cold, and heat stress conditions in wheat. Based on reverse transcription quantitative PCR results, TaNAC69-1 was strongly expressed under drought, salinity, and high-temperature stress conditions. Compared to control samples, a quick response at the transcription level of TaNAC69-1 was observed after 3 h of salt treatment with a ninefold upregulation. Highest level of expression was observed at 24 and 48 h posttreatment under heat and salinity treatments, respectively. Meanwhile, expression of TtNAMB-2 was significantly induced by salt and low-temperature stresses. Salt treatment induced expression of TtNAMB-2 and caused a 13-fold increase in transcript copy numbers at 48 h posttreatment. Examination of expression changes under abiotic stresses may provide important information for understanding roles of TaNAC69-1 and TtNAMB-2 genes which might be involved in response to environmental stresses. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.