Molecular Function of the Gene Encoding RING-H2 Finger Protein and Its Interacting Partners

All aspects of plant life are controlled by the regulated synthesis of new proteins and the precise degradation of preexisting proteins, predicting up to 50% of total plants protein is replaced every week. The ubiquitin/26S proteosome pathway is known to be one of mechanisms to regulate signal pathways, developmental process and abiotic/biotic stress responses via protein degradations. In the previous study, we have identified a large number of the RING ubiquitin ligase proteins whose functions have been clarified in the protein degradation pathway. Curiously, one RING-H2 finger protein gene evidenced striking differences in expression patterns in response to salt and dehydration stress between leaf and culm-node tissues. Characterization of the gene evidenced its function as E3 ubiquitin ligase activity by using an in vitro ubiquitination assay. We have constructed a library with rice culm-node tissues under salt stress for Yeast two hybrid assay and performed primary yeast two-hybrid screening with the gene as a bait. A total of 13 candidate genes were isolated as positive interacting partners. Gene ontology of most candidate genes appears to be related with various abiotic stresses. Therefore, the RING-H2 finger protein genes might function to regulate plant abiotic stress responses via protein degradation pathways.