Gene expression profile of the heat shock protein Hsp 23.6 in wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum L.) subjected to NaCl stress

Abstract:

This study was conducted with the aim of detecting and studying the gene expression pattern of a small molecular weight protein located in the mitochondria called the mitochondrial small heat shock protein with a molecular weight of 23.6 (M-sHSP 23.6) in the leaves of the local bread wheat plant (Ebba 99 Cultivar) growing under conditions of NaCl salinity at three levels 50, 100 and 150 mM in addition to the control treatment for four weeks. RNA was extracted from salt-stressed plant leaves for gene expression analyzing during different levels of salt stress. The gene expression of HSP 23.6 was determined by semi- quantitative-PCR. The results showed that increased salt stress intensity led to increased gene expression of the protein under study, indicating its vital role in salinity adaptation. These observations suggest that heat shock protein (HSP 23.6) may be a potential biomarker for determining salinity tolerance, thus guiding improvement programs aimed at enhancing plants' ability to withstand environmental risks.