Identification and Cloning of Putative Serine Protease Inhibitor (Serpin) Genes in Rice (Oryza sativa) and a Preliminary Approach to Generate RNAi using the Cloned Sequences
Programmed Cell Death (PCD) is an important mechanism of plant immune response against diseases. Serine protease inhibitors (‘serpins’) are a conserved superfamily of proteins that inhibit serine protease targets and prevent programmed cell death (PCD) in plants, in absence of pathogen infection. In this project, putative serpin genes in rice (Oryza sativa) which are homologous to necrotic/‘Nec’ serpin genes in Drosophila are identified by bioinformatic analyses. This is followed by cloning of specific exon sequences of the rice serpin genes identified. Finally, one of the cloned sequences is utilized in a series of steps to produce interfering RNA (RNAi), to block the gene expression. Results of this study would help elucidate the importance of serpins in the regulation of PCD in rice. The work could lead to further research aimed at generating disease-resistant transgenic plants
