Molecular Cloning and Expression of ScTIP1;1 in Stipa capillacea under Abiotic Stress

Based on EST sequence and RACE experiments, the full-length coding sequence of a tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) gene termed ScTIP1;1 was cloned from Stipa capillacea. Sequence analysis showed that the opening reading frame (ORF) of ScTIP1;1 was 753 bp, encoding a 250 amino acid peptide with a protein molecular weight of 25.8 kD and isoelectric point of 6.16. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment results indicated that ScTIP1;1 had a close relationship with AtTIP1;1 of Arabidopsis thaliana. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that ScTIP1;1 was localized in the tonoplast membrane. The expression level of ScTIP1;1 was induced by salt, drought and especially low temperature in the leaves of S. capillacea. These results provide new insight into understanding the ecological adaptations of S.capillacea.