Expression analysis of mapk genes in Vitis vinifera using real-time PCR

MAPK genes are evolutionary highly conserved ancient cascades in all eukaryotes. Generally, MAPKs as a versatility protein family, control cell's fate by playing important roles in prominent functions including cytokinesis, differentiation, proliferation, cell development, abiotic and biotic responses, pathogen defense, hormonal responses. Moreover, these ubiquitous proteins have crosstalk ability with different pathways and also within each other which makes the study of them so complicated. In this research, total RNA from berries, leaves, clusters and tendrils during different developmental stages were extracted and after purification and cDNA synthesis their relative expression were analyzed with totally 12 primers (5 MAPKKs and 7 MAPKKKKs) using Real-time PCR. The expression of both VvMAPKK and VvMAPKKKK sub-family genes was regulated by growth and development in berries and downregulated during the ripening stage which can be related to decreased level of cell-development and cell-proliferation and consequently, decreased level of extra-cellular signals. All together this work provides a background to research about physiologic roles of VvMAPKKs and VvMAPKKKKs in different development stages. Besides, these proteins can play a role in the production of phytohormones, and different related cascades.