Schmidt, Anna-mary2024-08-152024-08-1520012001https://hdl.handle.net/1828/19597Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer is leading to an increase in ultraviolet-8 (UV-B) radiation reaching the earth's surface. The effects of UV-Bon gene expression in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) were examined during seed germination and early seedling development. Douglas-fir seeds were stratified, then germinated in a controlled environment chamber and exposed to UV-B doses of 0 or 7 kJ m-2 d-1. Transcript levels for hsp90, BiP (luminal binding protein), cpr (NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase) and ubiquitin increased in response to UYV-B exposure. Correspondingly, UV-B treatment led to increases in HSP90, BiP and CPR protein levels. In contrast, cab (chlorophyll a/b-binding protein) transcript amounts were marginally reduced in response to UV-B. These results suggest a role for heal shock proteins, CPR and ubiquitin in the protection of Douglas-fir from the effects of UV-B radiation.102 pagesAvailable to the World Wide WebThesis