cDNA cloning and sequencing of tobacco chloroplast ribosomal protein L12

Tobacco chloroplast ribosomal protein L12 was isolated as a ssDNA-cellulose-binding protein from a chloroplast soluble protein fraction. Based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of chloroplast L12, a cDNA clone was isolated and characterized. The precursor protein deduced from the DNA sequence consists of a transit peptide of 53 amino acid residues and a mature L12 protein of 133 amino acid residues. The chloroplast L12 protein was synthesized with a reticulocyte lysate and subjected to nucleic acid-binding assays. L12 synthesized in vitro does not bind to ssDNA, dsDNA nor ribonucleotide homopolymers, but it binds to cellulose matrix.