Developmental control of cold tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Phenological, molecular and metabolite analysis during vernalization in wheat show that there is a tight relationship between vernalizatio fulfillment/reproductive transition with decrease in the accumulation of some metabolites and expression of cold-induced genes/proteins. In the present review, we will describe a number of similar protective metabolites and cold related proteins which are present or expressed in both sensitive and tolerant wheat genotypes. Based on several studies duration of cold acclimation in winter genotypes is quite higher which is influenced by developmental genes and consequently the level and duration of expression of cold-lnduced proteins is longer when compared with spring genotypes. Also, the initial rate of cold acclimation in cold tolerant winter wheat is higher than the cold sensitive genotypes. Our results show that the expression patterns of cold related proteins and metabolites are consistent with the trend of the developmental factors that have regulatory effects on proteome/metabolome. In addition, sub-zero acclimation of plants in field conditions during autumn/winter seasons has significant effects on numbers, levels and patterns of cold associated proteins in compared with plants acclimated in controlled condition at low temperature but above zero temperature. This present work, provide a novel insight to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind cold adaptation in wheat and pave the way to breed wheat for cold tolerance.