The Role of Endogenous ABA in Cold-Induced Expression of the TADHN Dehydrin Gene in Wheat Seedlings

The effect of fluridone, an efficient inhibitor of ABA synthesis, on expression of the TADHN gene encoding dehydrin was studied in four-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings exposed to low temperature (6 degrees C). It was found that complete inhibition of a rapid cold-induced transient ABA formation reduced but did not eliminate cold-induced enhancement of this dehydrin gene transcription. These results argue for an important role of endogenous ABA in the induction of the TADHN gene expression in wheat seedlings under low temperature. Thus, under hypothermia, TADHN gene expression is controlled by both low temperature and endogenous ABA.