Enhanced tolerance to herbicide of rice plants by over-expression of a glutathione S-transferase

OsGSTL1 is a glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18), lambda class gene from rice (Oryza sativa L.). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the OsGSTL1 expression pattern reveals that the OsGSTL1 transcript exists in the roots and leaves of rice plant in their seedling and tillering stages, and in the roots, leaves and panicles of their heading stage. Treatment with ET, SA, ABA and MeJA did not significantly affect the OsGSTL1 expression in roots and leaves of the seedlings. The OsGSTL1 is a constitutive expression gene. Over-expression of the OsGSTL1 gene in the transgenic rice plants allowed us to test the role of the OsGSTL1 protein. In the OsGSTL1 over-expression lines, the GST activity and glutathione peroxidase activity of crude extracts of rice plants is higher than non-transgenic rice plants, and the level of superoxide was degraded. The accumulation of the OsGSTL1 protein in the vegetative tissues of transgenic rice plants enhanced their tolerance to chlorsulfuron and glyphosate. These results demonstrate the detoxification role of OsGSTL1 in the growth and development of rice plants.