Efecto De La Aplicación De Gaba en La Expresión De Genes Antioxidantes en Limón Persa

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Persian lime (<em>Citrus latifolia </em>Tan.) is one of the most economically important citrus fruits in Mexico. However, it confronts a vast range of threats to reach optimal productivity. Different sources of biotic and abiotic stress cause an alteration in the metabolism of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which leads a high level of oxidative stress. The application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been shown to induce an increase in the expression of antioxidant genes in various plant species. <strong>Objective: </strong>Determine the effect of exogenous application of GABA on the expression of <em>APX</em> and <em>CAT</em> genes in Persian lime plants, as well as to determine the similarity of the coding regions of these genes with other plant species.<strong> Methodology</strong>: a GABA 1 mM solution was applied in Persian lime plants of 1 year and RNA was extracted at 0, 1, 5, 24 h after application. <em>CAT</em> and <em>APX</em> genes were amplified through RT-PCR and expression was quantified using a densitometric approach. <strong>Results: </strong>The application of GABA generated an increase in the activity of both genes, especially at 1 hour after the application. The <em>APX</em> gene was the one that showed the greatest increase at 1 hour; however, 24 hours after application, the activity of this gene was repressed. The <em>CAT</em> gene showed an increase at 1h, and it was decreasing over time, however, it was always higher compared to the control. Sequence analysis showed a high similarity between <em>APX</em> from Persian lime and <em>A. thalina</em> and <em>CAT</em> between Persian lime and <em>C. sinensis</em>.<strong> Implications: </strong>Further studies are necessary to evaluate if the application of GABA in Persian lime helps against biotic and abiotic sources of stress. <strong>Conclusions: </strong>The application of GABA in Persian lime is a possible strategy to counteract the effects of oxidative damage caused by biotic and abiotic stress.</p>