IDENTIFICATION OF GENES EXPRESSED DURING WATER STRESS IN FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS SSP. BREVIFLORA

We identified genes in Fouquieria splendens ssp. breviflora (Fouquieriaceae) that were expressed due to water deficits. RNA was extracted from dehydrated stem samples that were collected directly from Camargo, Queretaro following hydration for two weeks. The plants were grown in two states, drought and hydrated. We then performed subtractive hybridization. The obtained sequences were inserted into a plasmid and sequenced. Analyses were performed using the Blastx and Expasy ScanProsite database. These results revealed the expression of genes that corresponded to the RNA polymerase II beta-subunit of chloroplast, rpoC2; the cell binding site known as tripeptide RGD; catalase; and chitinase class I and III. These expressed genes are important because they are involved in the response to oxidative stress and the defense response and development in Fouquieria splendens ssp. Breviflora.