Light and stage of development influence the expression of desiccation-induced genes in the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum

Craterostigma plantagineum is a representative of the resurrection plants, which are able to withstand complete dryness. During the dehydration process, many characteristic transcripts and proteins are induced; these have been isolated by molecular cloning. The expression of most of these gene products can also be triggered by ABA. Five representative desiccation-related cDNA clones were selected. The effect of light and developmental stage on the expression of the transcripts and corresponding proteins was analysed during dehydration and ABA treatment. Desiccation and ABA treatment in the presence of light induced a marked increase in several of the transcripts, whereas light had the reverse effect on the levels of some proteins (relative to mRNA levels) localized in the chloroplast. Although very young plants have the capacity to resume full physiological activity after dehydration, some of the desiccation-related gene products are still expressed at low levels.