Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a Cu/Zn SOD gene (BcCSD1) from Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are a family of metalloproteins extensively exists in eukaryote, which plays an essential role in stress-tolerance of higher plants. A full-length cDNA encoding Cu/Zn SOD (BcCSD1) was isolated from young seedlings of non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis) by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that BcCSD1 belonged to the plant SOD super family and had the closest relationship with SOD from Brassica napus. Tissue expression pattern analysis revealed that the BcCSD1 was constitutively expressed in all the tested tissues, and strongest in leaf, moderate in stem, lowest in root. The expression profiles under different stress treatments such as drought, NaCl, high temperature and ABA were also investigated, and the results revealed that BcCSD1 was a stress-responsive gene, especially to ABA. These results provide useful information for further understanding the role of BcCSD1 resistant to abiotic stress in Brassica campestris in the future.