Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes Induced by Ammonium Nitrogen in Rice Using mRNA Differential Display

RNAs isolated from ammonium-and nitrate-treated rice leaves were used to screen differentially expressed genes through mRNA differential display. A total of 72 bands appeared significant differences and some of them were further confirmed by reverse Northern and Northern blot. The results showed that two genes, A-02 (Oryza sativa drought stress related mRNA) and A-03 (Zea mays partial mRNA for TFIIB-related protein) were highly up-regulated in the ammonium-fed rice leaves. The enzyme assays showed that the activities of the two anti-oxidative enzymes, catalase and peroxidase, and the content of a non-enzymic antioxidant, glutathione, were significantly higher in the ammonium-fed rice leaves than those in the nitrate-fed ones, indicating that the ammonium nutrition might be beneficial for rice plants to improve the stress resistance during growth and development.