cDNA microarray analysis of rice anther genes under chilling stress at the microsporogenesis stage revealed two genes with DNA transposon Castaway in the 5′-flanking region

Rice is most chilling sensitive at the onset of microspore release. Chilling treatment at this stage causes male sterility. The gene expression profile during the microspore development process under chilling stress was revealed using a microarray that included 8,987 rice cDNAs. As many as 160 cDNAs were up- or downregulated by chilling during the microspore release stage. RT-PCR analysis of 5 genes confirmed the microarray results. We identified 3 novel genes whose expression levels were remarkably changed by chilling in rice anther. A new cis element that includes a DNA transposon Castaway sequence was found in the 5' upstream region of two genes which were conspicuously down-regulated by chilling temperatures in rice anther.