Phylogenetic analysis and drought-responsive expression of the rice caleosin gene family

Abstract

Caleosins are proteins that are components of plant oil bodies, and may be involved in the drought tolerance of plants. So far, the rice caleosin gene family remains largely uncharacterized. Using BLAST analyses against the rice genome database and other bioinformatic tools, 6 members of the caleosin family were identified in the rice genome. The evolutionary relationships among caleosin genes from rice, Arabidopsis and other species were analyzed. In addition, fluorescent real-time PCR method was employed to analyze the expression patterns of the caleosin gene family in different organs such as root, leaf, and flower, and to examine their expression-level changes in response to drought or osmotic stress. The results suggested that some members of the caleosin gene family are involved in drought tolerance, thus providing important background information for further study on their physiological roles under drought stress.