Subcellular localization of dehydrins in wheat plant seedlings subjected to low-temperature adaptation

Subcellular localization of dehydrins (dhn) in stem cell tissues of winter wheat seedlings (Triticulum aestivum L., cult. Irkutskaya ozimaya) was studied by immunoelectron microscopy. It was found that cold hardening at 4°C for 7 days resulted in a duplication of the dhn quantity in the cells as compared with control conditions (22°C). The maximum increase of the dhn content was observed in rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, cell walls, and intercellular spaces (3.8-, 3.0- and 2.8-fold, respectively); minimum increase was found in chloroplasts (1.4-fold). In the membrane compartments (mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts) low-temperature stress caused an increase of dhn quantity not only near membranes but also in the intermembrane space. A significant accumulation of dhn (2.5-fold) in the nucleus under low- temperature was found. We conclude that cold hardening of the plant induces accumulation and translocation of dhn to the regions of inter- and intracellular compartments that most require protection during the low-temperature stress.