Novel reporter systems to detect cold and osmotic stress responses.

Cells respond to environmental stresses such as cold and osmotic stresses. These stresses induce signal transduction pathways in cells. However, the molecular mechanisms activated by cold and osmotic stresses in higher eukaryotes remain elusive. Previously, we described a reporter system utilizing inducible translocation trap that detects nuclear translocation of 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate coenzyme A ligase (KBL) in response to cold and osmotic stresses. In the present study, we developed additional reporter systems to detect intracellular events induced by these stresses. These reporter systems will be instrumental to elucidate the intracellular signaling mechanisms activated by these stresses.