A molecular approach for the identification of drought-resistant rapeseed genotypes based on gene expression.

Areas affected by drought have lately extended all over the world. Rapeseed ( Brassica napus L. ), one of the most important species for oil production, is sensitive to drought stress mainly during the early vegetative growth stage. The comparative proteome analysis pointed out that heat shock proteins 90 (HSP 90), 70 (HSP 70) and beta-2 tubulin have a role in the drought tolerance of rapeseed. The aim of this work was to develop a molecular approach suitable for the identification of the drought resistant rapeseeds genotypes and, at the same time, to study the tolerance mechanism related to specific genes expressions. The primers for the mentioned genes were designed according to data from NCBI Data Base and the genes expression was evaluated by RT- PCR technique. The total RNA was extracted, the cDNA was synthesized and the specific genes were amplified, the process being followed up in the presence of SYBR Green dye. The genes expression was investigated for two variants - control plants and drought stressed plants. It was found that all of the studied genes were up-regulated in known as tolerant genotype and therefore they were over-expressed in drought conditions. The most obvious differences were pointed out for HSP 70 gene. Â