Characterization of five CIPK gene s expressions in maize under water stress

ABA, H 2 O 2 and Ca 2+ play critical roles as signals in the adaptive responses of plants to water and other stresses. They accumulate in plant cells under water and other stresses and induce changes in stress-related gene expressions. CIPKs, protein kinases associated with a calcineurin B-like calcium sensor, play a role in the regulation of stress gene expression in plants. However, it is still unclear whether ABA and H 2 O 2 are key inducers that regulate the changes in CIPK expressions under water stress. In this study, five stress-inducible CIPKs in maize were retrieved from Database. They were designated as ZmCIPK1 , 3, 8, 17 and 18, based on their homologies with known CIPK sequences. The expressions of the five ZmCIPKs in maize leaves and roots were analyzed and found to be regulated by PEG, CaCl 2 , ABA and H 2 O 2 to different extents. Moreover, the effect of ABA and H 2 O 2 on the expressions of ZmCIPKs under water stress was in an organ-dependent manner.