Seasonal Changes in Patterns of Gene Expression in Cold Acclimation Vitis labrusca Cultivars

The effects of cold acclimation were detectable seasonal changes in patterns of gene expression as well as in metabolism. However, as they were parallel processes regulated by common environmental cues and as dormancy has a clear impact on the freezing tolerance of trees, it was important to take both into account when trying to understand overwintering of trees. To determine if cold acclimation of Vitis labrusca are associated with specific changes in patterns of gene expression under natural hardening conditions, we compared leaf and branch translatable mRNAs of Vitis labrusca cvs. 'Kyoho' and 'Campbell Early'. Cold acclimation increased the expression level of dehydrin (LEA-type proteins), cbf (transcriptional control), PR1 (PR proteins), bspA (storage proteins) and NCED1 (abscisic acid biosynthesis) genes probably to control the damage caused by low temperature. Expression of dehydrin, cbf, and NCED1 genes of grape cultivars increased during the cold acclimation and then showed a gradual  decline during the deacclimation. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate seasonal changes of cold hardiness and gene expression which is related to cold acclimation in vineyard during dormant period.