Analysis of α-Tubulin Gene Expression During Cold Acclimation of Winter and Spring Soft Wheat

The expression profiles of 15 α-tubulin genes in spring and winter wheat varieties during cold acclimation were studied. Among the studied genes, two subfamilies (three genes in each) were identified with elevated expression levels detected at the initial stages of cold acclimation. The Tuba-2-3 gene, which, within its subfamily, is characterized by the most significant amplitude of the increase in the initial expression level, deserves special attention. In addition, the greatest differences in expression levels between varieties were found for this gene within its subfamily. For the winter variety, higher expression levels of this tubulin gene remaining for a long time (up to the seventh day of acclimation) were detected. A significant initial increase in expression levels for all α-tubulin genes of the fourth subfamily reaching maximum values during further acclimation was revealed. The high initial values of the expression levels of genes from this subfamily may also indicate their important role in the resistance of wheat microtubules to low temperatures in the early stages of cold acclimation.