Alpine Haircap Moss (Polytrichastrum alpinum) is one of the polar organisms
that can withstand the severe conditions of the Antarctic. Hemasundar
Alavilli of Sogang University in South Korea isolated a peptidyl prolyl
isomerase gene, PaFKBP12, from P. alpinum from the Antarctic and studied its
function in plant development and stress responses.

PaFKBP12 expression was found to be induced by heat and ABA. Overexpression
of PaFKBP12 in Arabidopsis increased the plant size, stemming from increased
rates of cell cycle. Under heat stress, PaFKBP12-overexpressing lines showed
better growth and survival than wild types.

The overexpressing lines also showed higher root elongation rates, better
shoot growth and enhanced survival at higher concentrations of ABA compared
to wild types. Moreover, these lines were also more tolerant to drought and
salt stress. All phenotypes were also accompanied by higher induction of the
stress responsive genes.

Based on the findings, PaFKBP12 has important functions in plant development
and abiotic stress responses.



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