Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differential expression pattern of rubber elongation factor (REF) mRNA transcripts from high and low yielding clones of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

  • Genetics and Genomics
  • Published:
Plant Cell Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In Hevea tree, rubber elongation factor (REF) is a key gene involved in rubber biosynthesis. Since the immaturity period for Hevea is 6 years, identification of molecular marker for latex yield potential will be beneficial for early selection of high yielding clones. The main objective of this research is to study the expression pattern of the REF gene in contrasting latex yield rubber clones (high and low yielding) by Northern blot as well as RT-PCR analysis. Accumulation of REF mRNA transcripts was significantly higher in latex cells compared to other cells of seedlings and mature Hevea trees. Northern results revealed that the level of REF gene expression in latex cells of high yielding rubber clones was significantly higher than in low yielders. According to RT-PCR results, the abundance of REF mRNA transcripts in latex cells was fivefold higher in the RRII105 clone, one of the most high yielding rubber clones. It is evident from the results that both tapping and ethephon treatment had a direct effect on induction of REF gene expression. Results demonstrate a positive correlation between REF gene expression pattern and latex yield.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

REF:

Rubber elongation factor

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

RRII:

Rubber Research Institute of India

PB:

Prang Besar

KRS:

Kohong rubber estate

PR:

Profestation voor rubber

References

  • Amalou Z, Bangratz J, Chrestin H (1992) Ethrel (ethylene releaser) induced increase in the adenylate pool and trans tonoplast pH within latex cells. Plant Physiol 98:1270–1276

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chandrasekhar TR, Marattukalam JG, Mercykutty VC, Priyadarshan PM (2007) Age of yield stabilization and its implications for optimizing selection and shortening breeding cycle in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.). Euphytica doi:10.1007/s10681-006-9352-8

  • Church GM, Gilbert W (1984) Genomic sequencing. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 81:1991–1995

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coup´e M, Chrestin H (1989) Physiochemical and biochemical mechanisms of hormonal (ethylene) stimulation. In: Auzac JD, Jacob JL, Chrestin H (eds) Physiology of rubber tree latex. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Dennis MS, Light DR (1989) Rubber elongation factor from Hevea brasiliensis : identification, characterization and role in rubber biosynthesis. J Biol Chem 264:18608–18617

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dennis MS, Henzel WJ, Bell J, Kohr W, Light DR (1989) Amino acid sequence of rubber elongation factor protein associated with rubber particles in Hevea latex. J Biol Chem 264:18618–18626

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han KH, Shin DH, Yang J, Kim IJ, Oh SK, Chow KS (2000) Genes expressed in the latex of Hevea brasiliensis. Tree Physiol 20:503–510

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jacob JL (1970) Particularite de la glcolyse et de sa regulation au sein du latex d’Hevea brasiliensis. Physiol Veg 8:395–411

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jacob JL, Pr´ev^ot JC, Kekwick RGO (1989) General metabolism of Hevea brasiliensis. In: d’Auzac J, Jacob L, Chrestin H (eds) Physiology of the rubber tree latex, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, pp 101–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Ko JH, Chow KS, Han KH (2003) Transcriptome analysis reveals novel features of the molecular events occurring in the laticifers of Hevea brasiliensis. Plant Mol Biol 53:479–492

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Priya P, Venkatachalam P, Thulaseedharan A (2006) Molecular cloning and characterization of the rubber elongation factor gene and its promoter sequence from rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis): a gene involved in rubber biosynthesis. Plant Sci 171:470–480

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pujade-Renaud V, Clement A, Perrot-Rechenman C, Prevot JC, Chrestin H, Jacob JL, Guern J (1994) Ethylene-induced increase in glutamine synthetase activity and mRNA levels in Hevea brasiliensis latex cells. Plant Physiol 105:127–132

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sambrook J, Fritsch EF, Maniatis T (1989) Molecular cloning. A laboratory manual, 2nd edn. Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbour

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson CL, Buchanan RA, Otey FH (1979) Molecular weight of natural rubbers from temperate zone plants. J Appl Polym Sci 23:793–748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tupy J (1969) Nucleic acids in latex and production of natural rubber in Hevea brasiliensis. J Rubber Res Inst Malay 21:468–476

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tupy J (1973) The activity of latex invertase and latex production of Hevea brasiliensis. Physiol Veg 11:633–641

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tupy J (1988) Ribosomal and polyadenylated RNA content of rubber tree latex, association with sucrose level and latex pH. Plant Sci 55:137–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatachalam P, Thanseem I, Thulaseedharan A (1999) A rapid and efficient method for isolation of RNA from bark tissues of Hevea brasiliensis. Curr Sci 77:635–637

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are most grateful to Drs. James Register and Günther Hahne for their valuable suggestions, which enabled us to successfully complete this work. We thank Dr. A. Matthew Jenks for critical reading of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biotechnology Division, Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam, 686009, India

    P. Priya, P. Venkatachalam & A. Thulaseedharan

  2. Centre for Plant Molecular Biology, Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    P. Venkatachalam

Authors
  1. P. Priya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Venkatachalam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Thulaseedharan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Venkatachalam.

Additional information

Communicated by J. Register.

P. Priya and P. Venkatachalam contributed equally to this research.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Priya, P., Venkatachalam, P. & Thulaseedharan, A. Differential expression pattern of rubber elongation factor (REF) mRNA transcripts from high and low yielding clones of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.). Plant Cell Rep 26, 1833–1838 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-007-0402-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-007-0402-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation