Glycine betaine biosynthesis genes differentially expressed in sugarcane under water stressGlycine betaine biosynthesis genes differentially expressed in sugarcane under water stress

Background Plants have developed a wide range of strategies which allow their survival under abiotic stresses [1]. One of those mechanisms is the accumulation of compatible solutes, which protect cell structure against damage induced by dehydration and oxidation [2]. The accumulated compatible solutes may include betaines and related compounds such as sugars and amino acids. Understanding the action mechanism of glycine betaine (GB) and its effects on drought tolerance mechanisms may lead to the development of cultivars adapted to different hydric conditions. In medicinal plants, betaine is synthetized by two enzymes: choline monooxygenase (CMO), and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) [3]. The present study evaluated gene expression profiles of CMO and BADH genes in sugarcane leaves (Saccharum SP) submitted to three levels of water stress (mild, moderate and severe), using DNA microarrays.