Betaine Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (BADH) gene and free amino acid analysis in Rhizophora mucronata Lam. from Thalassery region of Kerala, India.

Abstract

Mangroves are salt tolerant plants inhabiting saline environment. Multiple factors contribute to their salt tolerance and we need multifaceted approach to reveal the mechanisms of salt tolerance in the plant. In the present study, leaves of the mangrove, Rhizophora mucronata grown in the presence and absence of salt were used, free amino acids and the expression of selected genes were analyzed. Chromatographic technique showed the accumulation of free amino acids like proline, glycine, aspartic acid, valine, leucine and glutamic acid in the presence of salt. RNA was isolated from the leaf sample and cDNA was synthesized. Gene specific primers were designed and standardized. Among the genes studied (P5CS, BADH, NHX1), Betaine Aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) gene was found to be expressed.