Gold responsive gene/protein families and cold/freezing tolerance in cereals

Abstract

Cold/freezing tolerance is an important agronomical trait for crops, particularly for winter cereals including wheat, barley and rye. During an adaptive process of cold acclimation or hardening, dramatic changes take place in physiological and biochemical processes in plants. These metabolic changes are principally caused by expression of specific sets of genes named Cor (cold-responsive or cold-regulated) genes and other related genes. A large number of Cor genes, particularly those which belong to dehydrin (Dhn)/late embryogenesis abundant (Lea)/responsive to abscisic acid (Rab) families, have been isolated and characterized in plants. We review the present status of the research on the Cor gene/protein families and cold/freezing tolerance in cereals, with an emphasis on wheat that is well adapted to wide areas of varying climatic conditions. © 2000 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.