Low-temperature-responsive barley genes have different control mechanisms.

Several low-temperature-responsive (LTR) genes from barley have been shown to have high steady-state transcript levels. Run-on transcription was used to determine the control of expression of these LTR genes. Six of these are shown to be transcriptionally regulated (blt 4/9, blt 101, blt 1015, blt 63, blt 49, blt 410) whilst three are post-transcriptionally regulated (blt 14, blt 411, blt 801). Two transcriptionally regulated genes (blt 4/9 and blt 101) and one post-transcriptionally regulated gene (blt 14) have been used in expression studies. The time course for the appearance and decay of these transcripts is given. Initial appearance and steady-state levels of individual transcripts have different temperature characteristics but no single gene correlates with the cold acclimation response. We suggest that these different response profiles may represent a means of fine-tuning the low-temperature response. One gene, blt 4/9, also accumulated high steady-state levels of transcript in response to drought and a nutrient stress. However, only drought has an acclimating effect on barley plants.