Expression of a gene encoding a MKRN RING zinc finger protein in early germination stages of pea (Pisum sativum L.Var. Alaska) and its possible role in differentiation

The MKRN gene belongs to the Makorin gene family, which is characterized by a unique array of C3H, RING and a novel Cys-His motif. In the present study we show the spatial expression of MKRN gene in pea (Pisum sativum L.Var. Alaska) tissues at 10 h after imbibition, and 10, 16 and 84 h after sowing, using non-radioactive mRNA in situ hybridization. The results show that the MKRN transcripts were prominently expressed in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), the tunica (region for anticlinal cell division), lateral root primordia and the differentiating zone of root tissues at all stages of germination. The expression of MKRN was more prominent in parenchyma cells of roots at 84 h after sowing. Localization of MKRN transcripts in the SAM after 10 h of imbibition, its induction in the early germination and its continued spatial expression in differentiating zones of the vegetative stage suggest a role for MKRN in organogenesis of pea seedlings. The present results were also consistent with our previous observations in rice seedlings at various stages of germination. We suggest that MKRN plays a crucial role in germination, differentiation and initial organogenesis of pea seedlings.