The effects of abiotic stresses on the NADP-dependent malic enzyme in the leaves of the hexaploid wheat

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different abiotic stresses on the activity of an NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME) and the corresponding gene transcription in the leaves of the hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) The activity of the NADP-ME enzyme was increased by water stress (20 % polyethylene glycol 6000), low temperature (4 °C), darkness, salinity (200 mM NaCl), abscisic acid and salicylic acid. The transcription of the TaNADP-ME1 gene decreased in response to all of the stresses except darkness and NaCl. In addition, the transcription of TaNADP-ME2 was down-regulated by all of the tested treatments and could not be detected under dark stress.