SALT STRESS-RESPONSIVE POLYPEPTIDES IN GERMINATING-SEEDS AND YOUNG SEEDLINGS OF INDICA RICE (ORYZA-SATIVA L)

Changes in protein profiles induced by salt stress were investigated b oth during germination and early seedling growth in rice. Two predomin ant polypeptides with apparent mol. wts. of 70 and 23 kDa, respectivel y, were induced under salt stress in germinating seeds of which the 23 kDa is the most abundant. Two other polypeptides with apparent mol. w ts. of 15 and 26 kDa were found to be specifically induced in shoots o f NaCl treated seedlings. These two salt responsive polypeptides (SRPs ) were partially purified and their properties investigated. It has be en clearly demonstrated that the 15 and 26 kDa SRPs exhibit a unique p roperty of boiling stability.