Disproportionating Enzyme 2 (DPE2) is a cytosolic protein found in Arabidopsis thaliana. When exposed to cold temperature, the protein has been shown by 2D difference gel electrophoresis to be enriched in a microsomal compartment. The first aim of this study was to test whether DPE2 translocates to a microsomal compartment in response to cold by both a biochemical approach (western blot) and a cellular approach (green fluorescent protein tagging and confocal microscopy). The second aim was to determine if the dpe2 knockout mutants were more freeze tolerant than the wild type plants. Western blot analysis indicated that the protein translocated to a microsomal compartment in response to cold. These findings could not be confirmed by confocal microscopy due to co-suppression of transgene expression. Whole plant freeze tests and electrolyte leakage analysis showed that knocking out the DPE2 gene did not make Arabidopsis more freeze tolerant.
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