Comprehensive analysis of wound-inducible genes from the Nicotiana glutinosa leaves using a full-length cDNA microarray

Wound-inducible gene expression in the the Nicotiana glutinosa leaves was studied by using a microarray with 9600 full-length cDNAs. As a result, 86 genes were identified as wound-inducible genes in the N. glutinosa leaves, including those encoding defense related proteins, such as heat shock proteins, glutathione S-transferase, ascorbate peroxidase and non-specific lipid-transfer proteins. Among 86 genes, 15 genes including 11 hypothetical protein genes and 1 unknown protein genes encode unknown functional proteins. Although the translational products of these genes have not been characterized, they are potential candidates for defense-related proteins toward wounding. The cluster analysis classified the genes into 6 groups on the basis of their expression patterns. It is likely that genes clustered in the same groups may be co-regulated by common transcriptional factors and also translational products belonging to the same clusters may share common functions in defense response to wounding.