Construction and Screening of Chickpea cDNA Library with Heterologous Legumin cDNA Probe

A cDNA library was constructed from developing chickpea cotyledons in the expression vector λ gt 11. The library when plated on X-gal and IPTG showed about 35% recombinants. These recombinants were screened using pea legumin cDNA probe. Of a total of 4 × 10⁴ cDNA clones screened, 20 clones showed homology to legumin probe. The presence of cDNA insert in these clones was further confirmed by Southern blot hybridization.     

The glucosinolate-degrading enzyme myrosinase in Brassicaceae is encoded by a gene family

A full-length cDNA clone (MB3) and three partial clones (MA1, MB1 and MB2) which encode myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.3.1) were isolated from a Sinapis alba (white mustard) cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these clones revealed that they are encoded by a gene family. Southern blot analysis with gene-specific probes showed that the gene family consists of a least two subfamilies (MA and MB) each with several members both in S. alba and in Brassica napus (oilseed rape). In Arabidopsis thaliana (wall cress) only three myrosinase genes seem to be present. Northern blot analysis indicated that all the myrosinase mRNA species have the same size, approximately 1.95 kb.     

Cloning and characterization of a ribosomal protein L23a from Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis eggs by immuno screening of a cDNA expression library

A primary cDNA library with a size of 1.34 × 10⁶ PFU was constructed from Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis eggs and was immunoscreened with rabbit anti-H. qinghaiensis serum. One clone (Hq22, named following those clones obtained from adult Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis cDNA library which we constructed before) screened from the cDNA library was selected randomly for sequencing. The entire sequence of the clone was subsequently obtained using rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE). A search of the cloned sequence against GenBank revealed that it related to ribosomal protein L23a (Rpl23a) and had a high percentage similarity to this protein from different species. Conserved domains for Rpl23a were also identified in the cloned sequence. Expression analysis by RT-PCR showed that this gene is expressed in salivary glands, midguts, other tissues and different developmental stages of H. qinghaiensis. Based on the H. qinghaiensis Rpl23a sequence, open reading frames (ORF) of Rpl23a of Heamaphysalis longicornis and Boophilus microplus were also cloned and were performed for comparison with Rpl23a of H. qinghaiensis and other organisms as well. Vaccine based on Rpl23a recombinant protein cannot protect sheep against H. qinghaiensis.     

Construction and Characterization of a cDNA Library from the Pulp of Cara Cara Navel Orange （Citrus sinensis Osbeck）

A cDNA library was constructed end characterized from the pulp of Cera Care navel orange （Citrus sinensis Osbeck） at different stages of ripening. Tittering results revealed that approximately 5.086×10^5 independent clones were included in this library. Electrophoresls gel results of 15 randomly selected clones revealed that the size of the insertion fragments ranged from 400 bp to 2 kb, with an average size of 900 bp. Sequencing results of 150 randomly picked clones showed that the recombination rate was 94%. During subsequent sequence analysis, 41 of 139 clones failed to be identified end the amino sequence of 71 clones shared less than 30% identity with related plants in GenBank. Of 27 clones whose amino sequences shared more than 60% identity with other related plants in GenBenk, 17 clones showed an 80% identity with the corresponding candidate genes of citrus. The clone recognized as the type Ⅲ metallothlonein-llke （MT） gene was observed to occur 13 tlmes, Indlcatlng that the protein may play an important role In frult development and rlpenlng.     

Construction and characterization of normalized cDNA library of maize inbred MO17 from multiple tissues and developmental stages

A comprehensive complementary DNA (cDNA) library is a valuable resource for functional genomics. In this study, we set up a normalized cDNA library of Mo17 (MONL) by saturation hybridization with genomic DNA, which contained expressed genes of eight tissues and organs from inbred Mo17 of maize (Zea mays L.). In this library, the insert sizes range from 0.4 kb to 4 kb and the average size is 1.18 kb. 10 830 clones were spotted on nylon membrane to make a cDNA microarray. Randomly picked 300 clones from the cDNA library were sequenced. The cDNA microarray was hybridized with pooled tissue mRNA probes or housekeeping gene cDNA probes. The results showed the normalized cDNA library comprehensively includes tissue-specific genes in which 71% are unique ESTs (expressed sequence tags) based on the 300 sequences analyzed. Using the BLAST program to compare the sequences against online nucleotide databases, 88% sequences were found in ZmDB or NCBI, and 12% sequences were not found in existing nucleotide databases. More than 73% sequences are of unknown function. The library could be extensively used in developing DNA markers, sequencing ESTs, mining new genes, identifying positional cloning and candidate genes, and developing microarrays in maize genomics research.__________From Molekulyarnaya Biologiya, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2005, pp. 198–206.Original English Text Copyright © 2005 by Z. Zhang, F. Zhang, Tang, Pi, Zheng.This article was submitted by the authors in English.     

Molecular Cloning of a cDNA Encoding Ribosome Inactivating Protein from Amaranthus viridis and Its Expression in E. coli

In order to isolate a cDNA clone of ribosome inactivating protein (RIP), a cDNA library was constructed in Uni-ZAP XL vector with poly(A) RNA purified from leaves of Amaranthus viridis. To get the probe for screening the library, PCR of phage DNA was conducted using the vector primer and degenerate primer designed from a conserved putative active site of the RIPs. Twenty-six cDNA clones from about 600,000 plaques were isolated, and one of these clones was fully sequenced. It was 1,047 bp and contained an open reading frame encoding 270 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence had a putative signal sequence of 17 amino acids and a putative active site (AIQMVAEAARFFKYIE) conserved in other RIPs. E. coli cells expressing A. viridis RIP cDNA did not grow well as compared to control cells, indicating that recombinant A. viridis RIP presumably inactivated E. coli ribosomes. In addition, recombinant A. viridis RIP cDNA produced by E. coli had translation inhibition activity in vitro.     

橡胶树形成层组织的酵母双杂交cDNA文库构建及HbHDA6互作蛋白筛选

次生乳管是天然橡胶合成和贮存的场所,是由橡胶树树干树皮中维管形成层细胞分裂分化而来。次生乳管的数量与天然橡胶产量直接相关,而这些乳管的数量取决于形成层分化次生乳管的频率(乳管分化能力),是橡胶树产量育种的主要指标。前期研究中,我们发现组蛋白去乙酰化酶(HDA)抑制剂曲古抑菌素A(TSA)能诱导橡胶树乳管分化且组蛋白去乙酰化酶基因(HbHDA6)能够参与橡胶树乳管分化调控。由于组蛋白乙酰化修饰调控橡胶树次生乳管分化的分子机制尚未阐明,因此该文使用冠菌素(COR)诱导橡胶树形成层分化产生次生乳管的实验系统,以分离形成层组织为材料,构建酵母双杂交cDNA文库,以HbHDA6基因为诱饵来筛选酵母双杂交文库,确定与HbHDA6相互作用的蛋白。结果表明：(1)利用Gateway技术构建的均一化COR诱导橡胶树形成层组织的酵母双杂交cDNA文库,初级文库的容量为6.34×10⁶ CFU·mL^-1,总单克隆数为1.27×10⁷,文库重组率为100%;次级文库的容量为7.72×10⁶ CFU·mL^-1     

Characterization of cDNAs encoding CuZn-superoxide dismutases in Scots pine

A Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) cDNA library was screened with two heterologous cDNA probes (P31 and T10) encoding cytosolic and chloroplastic superoxide dismutases (SOD) from tomato. Several positive clones for cytosolic and chloroplastic superoxide dismutases were isolated, subcloned, mapped and sequenced. One of the cDNA clones (PS3) had a full-length open reading frame of 465 bp corresponding to 154 amino acid residues and showed approximately 85% homology with the amino acid sequences of angiosperm cytosolic SOD counterparts. Another cDNA clone (PST13) was incomplete, but encoded a putative protein with 93% homology to pea and tomato chloroplastic superoxide dismutase. The derived amino acid sequence from both cDNA clones matched the corresponding N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified mature SOD isozymes. Northern blot hybridizations showed that, cytosolic and chloroplastic CuZn-SOD are expressed at different levels in Scots pine organs. Sequence data and Southern blot hybridization confirm that CuZn-SODs in Scots pine belong to a multigene family. The results are discussed in relation to earlier observations of CuZn-SODs in plants.     

Nucleotide sequence of cDNAs encoding the entire precursor polypeptide for thioredoxin m from spinach chloroplasts

Using the expression vector gt11 and immunochemical detection, six cDNA clones that encode the entire precursor polypeptides for spinach thioredoxin m were isolated and characterized. The ca. 1.0 kb cDNA sequence of the largest clone hybridizes to an RNA species of 1.1 kb. In each instance the cDNA sequences display single open reading frames encoding polypeptides of 181 amino acid residues corresponding to a molecular mass of 19.8 kDa. The sequences of the independently selected cDNAs fall into two classes that are indicative of at least two (closely related) genes for this protein. The amino acid sequences deduced from the cDNA sequences differ to some extent from the amino acid sequence published for spinach thioredoxin m. The sequences predict identical mature proteins of 112–114 amino acids corresponding to a polypeptide molecular mass of ca. 12.4–12.6 kDa, and include stroma-targeting N-terminal transit peptides of 67 residues which are removed during or after import into the organelle. Precursor protein was made in vitro from each of the different cDNA clones and imported into isolated intact chloroplasts. Independent of the cDNA clone used, two isoforms were detected in the chloroplasts after import in each instance. They comigrated with authentic thioredoxin mb and mc. These results indicate that the size variants observed for this protein in vivo result from post-translational modification and do not originate in different genes.     

cDNA cloning of mRNAs induced in resistant barley during infection by Erysiphe graminis f.sp. Hordei

Summary Near-isogenic cultivars of Hordeum vulgare which differ for the Mlp gene for resistance to Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei were inoculated with race 3 of this pathogen and in vitro translation products of mRNA populations compared by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and fluorography. This revealed the presence of new mRNA species in infected leaves compared to non-inoculated controls. These new mRNA species were more abundant in resistant leaves than susceptible leaves. A cDNA library was prepared from poly(A)⁺RNA isolated from infected leaves carrying the Mlp gene for resistance (cvMlp). The library was screened by differential hybridization using [³²P]-labelled cDNA prepared from poly(A)⁺RNA of both control and infected leaves. Six cDNA clones showing greater hybridization to cDNA prepared from infected leaves were selected. These six cDNA clones hybridized to DNA isolated from barley leaves but not to DNA from conidia of the fungus. In Northern blot analysis of RNA from infected leaves the six cDNA clones each hybridized to mRNA species of different size. Translation products for three of the cDNA clones corresponded to infection-related translation products identified on 2-dimensional fluorograms. The cDNA clones were used to study the kinetics of host mRNA induction during infection of the near-isogenic cultivars of barley. The host mRNA species corresponding to the cDNA clones were induced prior to 24 h after inoculation during the primary penetration processes. In addition the mRNAs corresponding to four of the cDNA clones increased to greater amounts in cvMlp than in the near-isogenic susceptible cultivar (cvmlp) over a 2-d period following inoculation. These results suggest that the Mlp gene has a regulatory role in host gene expression resulting in enhanced expression of several host mRNA species following infection by the powdery mildew fungus.     

The b-32 protein from maize endosperm, an albumin regulated by the O2 locus: Nucleic acid (cDNA) and amino acid sequences

Summary The cDNA coding for the b-32 protein, an albumin expressed in maize endosperm cells under the control of the O2 and O6 loci, has been cloned and the complete amino acid sequence of the protein derived. A lambda gt11 cDNA library from mRNA of immature maize endosperm was screened for the expression of the b-32 protein using antibodies against the purified protein. One of the positive clones obtained was used to isolate a full-length cDNA clone. By Northern analysis, the size of the b-32 mRNA was estimated to be 1.2 kb. Hybrid-selected translation assays show that the message codes for a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 30–35 kDa. The nucleotide sequence shows that several internal repeats are present. The protein has a length of 303 amino acid residues (mol. wt. 32430 dalton) and its sequence shows the following features: no signal peptide is observable; it contains seven tryptophan residues, an amino acid absent in maize storage proteins; polar and hydrophobic residues are spread along the sequence; several pairs of basic residues are present in the N-terminal region; the secondary structure allows the prediction of two structural domains for the b-32 protein that would fold up giving rise to a globular shape. The cloning of this gene may help in understanding the role of the O2 and O6 loci in regulating the deposition of zein, the major storage protein of maize endosperm.     

Sequence and expression of the mRNA encoding the chymotrypsin inhibitor in winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.)

The accumulation of the Kunitz-type chymotrypsin inhibitor WCI-3 in winged bean seeds is controlled developmentally. In vitro translation experiments showed that the WCI-3 mRNA was present in 35- and 40-day-old immature seeds after flowering. The size of the in vitro translation product is about 2 000 Da larger than that of the mature WCI-3 protein. The WCI-3 cDNA clones were isolated from a gtll cDNA library of 35-day-old immature seeds by immunoscreening. A nearly full-length cDNA clone was obtained containing an open reading frame of 207 amino acid residues. The deduced sequence of the 183 carboxy terminal amino acids coincides precisely with the amino acid sequence determined for purified WCI-3. The amino terminal extension of 24 residues has the characteristics of a signal peptide. Northern hybridization analysis of total poly(A)⁺ RNA showed that the WCI-3 mRNA is approximately 900 nucleotides long and accumulates in 35- and 40-day-old but not in 30-day-old immature seeds.     

Sequence of a cDNA encoding nitrite reductase from the tree Betula pendula and identification of conserved protein regions

Summary The sequence of an mRNA encoding nitrite reductase (NiR, EC 1.7.7.1.) from the tree Betula pendula was determined. A cDNA library constructed from leaf poly(A)⁺ mRNA was screened with an oligonucleotide probe deduced from NiR sequences from spinach and maize. A 2.5 kb cDNA was isolated that hybridized to an mRNA, the steady-state level of which increased markedly upon induction with nitrate. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA contains a reading frame encoding a protein of 583 amino acids that reveals 79% identity with NiR from spinach. The transit peptide of the NiR precursor from birch was determined to be 22 amino acids in size by sequence comparison with NiR from spinach and maize and is the shortest transit peptide reported so far. A graphical evaluation of identities found in the NiR sequence alignment revealed nine well conserved sections each exceeding ten amino acids in size. Sequence comparisons with related redox proteins identified essential residues involved in cofactor binding. A putative binding site for ferredoxin was found in the N-terminal half of the protein.These sequence data appear in the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ nucleotide sequence data bases under the accession number X60093     

Cloning and expression study of a putative high-affinity nitrate transporter gene from Dunaliella salina

A nitrate transporter gene, named DsNRT2.1 (GeneBank accession number AY621079), from Dunaliella salina has been cloned by screening a cDNA library, which was constructed with mRNAs from D. salina after 60 min treatment with 5 mM nitrate, with a 342 bp NRT2 cDNA fragment from D. salina as a probe. DsNRT2.1 exhibits sequence similarity to those known nitrate transporters of the NRT2 family. A hydrophobicity blot indicated that DsNRT2.1 belongs to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). Northern analysis showed that an mRNA species of 1.9 kb can be rapidly induced by NO^– ₃, but not by NH⁺ ₄. Northern analysis also showed that NaCl could significantly increase the expression of DsNRT2.1.     

Genetics and expression of two pectinesterase genes in Valencia orange

The genetics and expression of pectinesterase (PE) genes were examined in Valencia orange. Degenerate primers based on partial amino acid sequence of a 36 kDa PE protein isolated from juice vesicles were used to amplify a 350 bp DNA fragment from cDNA prepared from juice vesicle total RNA. Two groups of 350 bp PE clones with 66% sequence identity were isolated. A clone from each group was used to screen a Valencia orange genomic DNA λ library. Two different lambda clones that contained complete PE coding sequence (CsPME1 and CsPME3) and a third lambda clone that contained partial PE sequence (CsPME2) were characterized. The CsPME1 gene contained two exons (1063 and 689 bp) interrupted by a 1452 bp intron, whereas the CsPME3 gene had two exons (844 and 686 bp) interrupted by a 771 bp intron. CsPME1 shared significant sequence similarity with the partial clone CsPME2, including the entire cloned region of the first exon, a large region in the 5′ portion of the intron and the 3′ portion of the second exon, but the 3′ portion of the intron and the 5′ portion of the second exon were dissimilar. Southern blots suggested that Valencia orange has two genes within each PE group. Full-length cDNA clones that shared 99% sequence identity with CsPME1 and CsPME3 were isolated. Both groups of PE genes were differentially expressed in tissues of Valencia orange, and in addition CsPME3 appeared to be ethylene-regulated. The deduced proteins of PE cDNA clones CsPME1 (63.5 kDa) and CsPME3 (56.3 kDa) were considerably larger than the PE protein we isolated from Valencia orange juice vesicles and also other mature plant PE proteins. The estimated size of group I (2.2 kb) and group II (2.0 kb) PE mRNAs also predicted a larger protein than was isolated from juice vesicles. Alignment of the mature tomato and mung bean PE proteins, the most N-terminal sequence we obtained from polypeptides derived from the 36 kDa PE isolated from juice vesicles and the deduced amino acid sequences of plant PE cDNA clones suggest that a post-translational cleavage event separates the variable N-terminus from the more conserved C-terminal domain of the mature PE protein.     

Characterization and sequencing of cDNA clone encoding the phloem protein PP2 of Cucurbita pepo

Direct N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the phloem protein 2 (PP2) from 3-month old Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin), purified by SDS-PAGE and blotted onto PVDF membrane, showed that the protein had a blocked N-terminus. However, after in situ cleavage of the polypeptide in a gel slice by cyanogen bromide, 75 residues of sequence on two cyanogen bromide fragments were determined. An oligonucle-otide probe based on this amino acid sequence was used to screen a cDNA library, constructed from mRNA of 3–5-day old seedling hypocotyls, in ZAP II. A cDNA clone (p11A) predicted an amino acid sequence of 218 residues, in full agreement with the sequences determined for two CNBr fragments of PP2, and suggests that the N-terminus of the protein is a blocked methionine residue which is cleaved off by CNBr. Two additional cDNA clones were sequenced but no heterogeneity in the PP2 sequence was found. The deduced amino acid sequence of C. pepo differs in nine residues from the recently published sequence of Cucurbita maxima (Bostwick et al., Plant Cell 4 (1992) 1539–1548). Southern blot showed that PP2 is encoded by a gene family with a relatively large number of members (estimated as 7–15 per haploid genome).