Journal of Stress Physiology & Biochemistry, Vol. 7, No. 4,
2011, pp. 232- 240. ISSN 1997-0838
Original Text Copyright (cc) 2011 by John De Britto, Jeevitha and Leon
Stephan Raj
Alterations of protein and DNA profiles of Zea mays L. under UV- B radiation
A. John De Britto1, M. Jeevitha1 and T. Leon
Stephan Raj2
1 Post Graduate and
Research Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, St.Xavier's
College (Autonomous). Palayamkottai - 627 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
Tel: 0091- 462- 4264374, Fax: 0091- 462-2561765. E-Mail:
bjohnde@yahoo.co.in
2 T. D.M. N. S. College,
T. Kaliikulam -627 113, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-Mail: leostephanraj@gmail.com
Received September 22, 2011
UV radiation is an
important stress factor for plants which may result in damage to
genetic system and cell membranes and several metabolic processes. UV-B
has greater damaging effects on plants because the cell macromolecules
such as DNA and protein having strong absorption at 280-320 nm. In the
present study, UV-B stress was given to the seeds of Zea mays L. at two different time
intervals (30 and 60 min) and that stressed seeds were grown under
normal environment condition. The leaves of 10th and 20th day seedlings
were collected for the analysis of protein and DNA profiles. Protein
was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and DNA was analyzed by Restriction enzymes.
When compared with control plants, increased numbers of protein and DNA
bands were observed in UV-B treated plants. The present study concluded
that the plant synthesis new proteins and DNA under UV treatment for
the adaptation to the environmental conditions. These stressed proteins
could be used as biomarkers for identification of stressed plant.
Identification of quantitative trait loci for UV stress resistance may
well be an effective analytical tool. This approach is promising,
considering that saturated DNA marker maps are now available for both
genetic model plants and crop plants.
Key words: Restriction Enzymes/ SDS-PAGE/ Stress response/ UV-B
radiation/ Zea mays L.
