MsSAMS, A Cold Stress-responsive Gene, Imparts Resistance to Environmental Stress Even in T2 Generation Transgenic Plants

This study was conducted to test the expression of the MsSAMS ( Miscanthus sinensis S-adenosylmethionine synthetase) gene of T 2 generation transgenic plants and to investigate their resistance and functionality to various environmental stresses. SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) revealed that the thickest leaves were from the T6 transgenic line, at 161.24 ± 8.05 µm. Resistance to various factors such as low temperature, drought, and oxidative stress in the T 2 generation transgenic plants was also confirmed. Under cold stress conditions, the T6 transgenic line showed the lowest value (22.73%) of ion leakage, and under drought stress conditions, the transgenic lines showed lower ion leakage compared to the control after treatment with any concentration of mannitol. Even under oxidative stress conditions, transgenic plants showed lower ion leakage levels compared to the control after treatment with all concentrations of methyl viologen. Regarding SAMS enzyme activity, as the time of cold treatment increased, the transgenic plants showed a tendency to decrease and then increase (22.75 ± 1.95 mg/ g-FW). Based on these results, it was suggested that the MsSAMS gene induced by cold stress can serve as a marker showing diversity of responding to environmental stresses because resistance to cold damage and various environmental stresses are stably inherited by the T 2 generation.