CHARACTERIZATION OF HEVER, A NOVEL STRESS-INDUCED GENE FROM HEVEA-BRASILIENSIS

A novel stress-induced gene, HEVER (Hevea ethylene-responsive) from th e rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, has been isolated and characterised . HEVER is encoded by a multigene family. The HEVER transcript is expr essed at basal levels in Hevea tissues and is developmentally regulate d. In addition, the HEVER transcript and protein are induced by stress treatment with salicylic acid and ethephon. Sequence analysis shows t hat HEVER encodes a 33 kDa protein that has significant homology to th e hypothetical protein SLEXORFA-1 from the plant, Stellaria longipes, and two bacterial proteins, BAC180K-75 from Bacillus subtilis and MVRN O3-1. from Methanococcus vannielii.