Comparative analysis of the D genome-encoded high-molecular weight subunits of glutenin

Four genes encoding novel 1Dx-type high-molecular weight (HMW) subunits were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, two each from Aegilops tauschii and bread wheat Triticum aestivum. The two subunits from Ae. tauschii (1Dx2.1^t and 1Dx2^t) were both very similar in sequence to subunit 1Dx2 from bread wheat. In contrast, the two novel bread wheat subunits (1Dx2.2 and 1Dx2.2*) differed from subunit 1Dx2 in having different internally duplicated regions (of 132 and 186 amino acid, respectively) within their repetitive domains. These duplicated sequences were located adjacent to the regions from which they had been duplicated and had complete intact repeat motifs at each end. The implications of these results for HMW subunit evolution and wheat quality improvement are discussed.     

Characterization of two HMW glutenin subunit genes from Taenitherum Nevski

The compositions of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits from three species of Taenitherum Nevski (TaTa, 2n = 2x = 14), Ta. caput-medusae, Ta. crinitum and Ta. asperum, were investigated by SDS-PAGE analysis. The electrophoresis mobility of the x-type HMW glutenin subunits were slower or equal to that of wheat HMW glutenin subunit Dx2, and the electrophoresis mobility of the y-type subunits were faster than that of wheat HMW glutenin subunit Dy12. Two HMW glutenin genes, designated as Tax and Tay, were isolated from Ta. crinitum, and their complete nucleotide coding sequences were determined. Sequencing and multiple sequences alignment suggested that the HMW glutenin subunits derived from Ta. crinitum had the similar structures to the HMW glutenin subunits from wheat and related species with a signal peptide, and N- and C-conservative domains flanking by a repetitive domain consisted of the repeated short peptide motifs. However, the encoding sequences of Tax and Tay had some novel modification compared with the HMW glutenin genes reported so far: (1) A short peptide with the consensus sequences of KGGSFYP, which was observed in the N-terminal of all known HMW glutenin genes, was absent in Tax; (2) There is a specified short peptide tandem of tripeptide, hexapeptide and nonapeptide and three tandem of tripeptide in the repetitive domain of Tax; (3) The amino acid residues number is 105 (an extra Q presented) but not 104 in the N-terminal of Tay, which was similar to most of y-type HMW glutenin genes from Elytrigia elongata and Crithopsis delileana. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Tax subunit was mostly related to Ax1, Cx, Ux and Dx5, and Tay was more related to Ay, Cy and Ry.     

Identification and molecular characterization of a novel y-type Glu-Dt 1 glutenin gene of Aegilops tauschii

A novel y-type high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit possessing a slightly faster mobility than that of subunit 1Dy12 in SDS-PAGE, designated 1Dy12.1^t in Aegilops tauschi, was identified by one- and two-dimensional gel and capillary electrophoresis. Its coding gene at the Glu-D ^t 1 locus was amplified with allele-specific-PCR primers, and the amplified products were cloned and sequenced. The complete nucleotide sequence of 2,807 bp containing an open reading frame of 1,950 bp and 857 bp of upstream sequence was obtained. A perfectly conserved enhancer sequence and the –300 element were present at positions of 209–246 bp and 424–447 bp upstream of the ATG start codon, respectively. The deduced mature protein of 1 Dy12.1^t subunit comprised 648 amino acid residues and had a Mr of 67,518 Da, which is slightly smaller than the 1Dy12 (68,695 Da) but larger than the 1Dy10 (67,495 Da) subunits of bread wheat, respectively, and corresponds well with their relative mobilities when separated by acid-PAGE. The deduced amino acid sequence indicated that the 1Dy12.1^t subunit displayed a greater similarity to the 1Dy10 subunit, with only seven amino acid substitutions, suggesting that this novel gene could have positive effect on bread-making quality. A phenetic tree produced by nucleotide sequences showed that the x- and y-type subunit genes were respectively clustered together and that the Glu-D ^t 1y12.1 gene of Ae. tauschii is closely related to other y-type subunit genes from the B and D genomes of hexaploid bread wheat.Communicated by H.F. Linskens     

High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits in the Cylindropyrum and Vertebrata section of the Aegilops genus and identification of subunits related to those encoded by the Dx alleles of common wheat

The high-molecular-weight (HMW) glute-nin subunit composition of seven species from the Cylindropyrum and Vertebrata sections of the Aegilops genus was studied using SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Two subunits were detected in Ae. caudata and three in Ae. cylindrica. In both species, subunits showing electrophoretic mobility similar to that of 1Dx2 were present. Western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody (IFRN 1602) specific for the 1Ax and 1Dx subunits of bread wheat showed that the 1Dx-like subunit of Ae. caudata gave only a weak reaction. This indicates that Ae. caudata expresses subunits which are more distantly related to the 1Dx subunits. Two subunits were detected in each of the 60 accessions of Ae. tauschii, including several 1D^tx subunits showing different electrophoretic mobilities from those of the 1Dx subunits commonly found in bread wheat. All of the 1D^tx subunits reacted strongly with IFRN 1602, confirming their close relationship to the 1Dx subunits of bread wheat. Three subunits were found in Ae. crassa (6 x), four in Ae. ventricosa and Ae. juvenalis and five in Ae. vavilovii. In these four species, the subunits that showed electrophoretic mobility similar, or close, to that of 1Dx2 all reacted with IFRN 1602. In addition, Ae. ventricosa contained a subunit showing electrophoretic mobility slower than that of 1Dx2.2, which also reacted with IFRN 1602. These results suggest that the D-genome component in the multiploid Aegilops species express at least one HMW glutenin subunit that is structurally related to the 1Dx subunits of bread wheat. Received: 5 November 1999 / Accepted: 12 February 2000     

Molecular characterization of HMW-GS 1Dx3(t) and 1Dx4(t) genes from Aegilops tauschii and their potential value for wheat quality improvement

Two x-type high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) in Aegilops tauschii, 1Dx3(t) and 1Dx4(t) were identified by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF-MS. Their complete coding sequences were isolated by AS-PCR. 1Dx3(t) and 1Dx4(t) genes consist of 2535 bp and 2508 bp and encode 845 and 836 amino acid residues, respectively. The deduced molecular masses of 1Dx3(t) and 1Dx4(t) gene products are 87655.26 Da and 86664.24 Da, respectively, well corresponding to the molecular masses measured by MALDI-TOF-MS. A total of 18 SNPs were identified between 1Dx3(t) and 1Dx4(t). Comparing with 1Dx5 subunit, 1Dx3(t) had a six amino acid insertion at 146-151 while the 1Dx4(t) had a nine amino acid deletion when compared with 1Dx3(t) subunit. The authenticity of the cloned 1Dx3(t) and 1Dx4(t) genes were confirmed by successful expression of their ORFs in E. coli. Comparison and phylogenetic tree based on the amino acid and nucleotide sequences confirmed that 1Dx3(t) was most closely related to 1Dx5 subunit that is widely accepted as a superior subunit for bread-making property. The secondary structure prediction demonstrated that 1Dx3(t) subunit has significantly high α-helix and β-strand contents, suggesting it might have positive effects on dough quality.     

Characterization of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eremopyrum bonaepartis</Emphasis> and identification of a novel variant with unusual high molecular weight and altered cysteine residues

We characterized two high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) variants from Eremopyrum bonaepartis, determined their complete open reading frames, and further expressed them in a bacterial system. The variants have many novel structural features compared with typical subunits encoded by Glu-1 loci: 1Fx3.7 and 1Fy1.5 exhibit hybrid properties of x- and y-type subunits. In addition, unusual molecular mass and altered number and distribution of cysteine residues were unique features of HMW-GSs encoded by Glu-F1 from E. bonaepartis. The mature 1Fx3.7 subunit has a full length of 1,223 amino acid residues, making it the largest subunit found thus far, while 1Fy1.5 is just 496 residues. In addition, the mutated PGQQ repeat motif was found in the repetitive region of 1Fx3.7. Although it has a similar molecular mass to that previously reported for 1Dx2.2, 1Dx2.2* and 1S^shx2.9 subunits, 1Fx3.7 appears to have had a different evolutionary history. The N-terminal and repetitive regions have a total of four additional cysteine residues, giving 1Fx3.7 a total of eight cysteines, while 1Fy1.5 has only six cysteines because the GHCPTSPQQ nonapeptide at the end of the repetitive region is deleted. With its extra cysteine residues and the longest repetitive region, features that are relevant to good wheat quality, the 1Fx3.7 subunit gene could be an excellent candidate for applications in wheat quality improvement.     

A novel high molecular weight glutenin subunit from Australopyrum retrofractum

We describe the sequence of a gene encoding a high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) expressed in the endosperm of the wheat relative Australopyrum retrofractum. Although the subunit has a similar primary structure to that HMW-GS genes present in other Triticeae species, its N-terminal domain is shorter, its central repetitive domain includes a unique dodecameric motif, and its C-terminal domain contain an extra cysteine residue. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the Glu-W1 gene is neither a true x- nor a true y-type subunit, although it is more closely related to the y-type genes present in the K and E genomes than to any other published HMW-GS gene. All these results indicated that this novel subunit may undergo a special evolutionary process different from other Triticeae species. A flour supplementation experiment showed that the Glu-W1 subunit has a negative effect on dough quality, which might be the result of interaction between the two closely placed cysteine residues in the C-terminal region.     

Molecular cloning of a novel chimeric HMW glutenin subunit gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">1Dx5′</Emphasis> from a common wheat line W958

A novel chimeric high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunit gene from a new common wheat line W958 (2n = 6x = 42) was isolated and characterized. SDS–PAGE analysis revealed that this glutenin subunit has similar electrophoretic mobility to 1Dx5, so it was designated 1Dx5′. Genomic DNA from W958 was amplified and a 2,505-bp fragment was obtained. The 1Dx5′ subunit showed a chimeric primary structure of 1Dx5 and 1Dx2, with the 1Dx5 sequence in the 5′ and middle repetitive regions and the 1Dx2 sequence in the repetitive domain and 3′ region. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis demonstrated that 1Dx5′ had a molecular weight of 86815.1 Da, close to that of an x-type glutenin subunit. Secondary structure analysis showed that this subunit had six helixes and one strand, including four helixes in the repetitive domain which could enhance the dough properties. Additionally, the promoter of 1Dx5′ was obtained and showed the same sequence as 1Dx5 or 1Dx2 except for a few base conversions. The promoter analysis indicated that the cis-acting regulatory elements of 1Dx5′ were the same as those of 1Dx5 and/or 1Dx2. Previously, we have demonstrated that this novel glutenin subunit is associated with good bread-making quality and comprises a very large proportion of the F2 segregation population. Consequently, we suggest that the amino acid residue composition and the secondary structure of the subunit may contribute to the bread-making quality. In summary, the novel 1Dx5′ gene could have greater potential in wheat quality improvement.     

Development of isohomoeoallelic lines within the wheat cv. Courtot for high molecular weight glutenin subunits: transfer of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glu-D1</Emphasis> locus to chromosome 1A

Wheat quality depends on protein composition and grain protein content. High molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) play an important role in determining the viscoelastic properties of gluten. In an attempt to improve the bread-making quality of hexaploid wheat by elaborating novel HMW-GS combinations, a fragment of wheat chromosome 1D containing the Glu-D1 locus encoding the Dx2+Dy12 subunits was translocated to the long arm of chromosome 1A using the ph1b mutation. The partially isohomoeoallelic line selected was characterized using cytogenetical and molecular approaches to assess the amount of chromatin introgressed in the translocated 1A chromosome. Triple-target genomic in situ hybridization indicated that the translocated 1A chromosome had a terminal 1D segment representing 25% of the length of the recombinant long arm. The translocation was also identified on the long arm using molecular markers, and its length was estimated with a minimum of 91 cM. Proteome analysis was performed on total endosperm proteins. Out of the 152 major spots detected, 9 spots were up-regulated and 4 spots were down-regulated. Most of these proteins were identified as α-, β-, γ-gliadins assigned to the chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6. Quantitative variations in the HMW-GS were only observed in subunit Dy12 in response to duplication of the Glu-D1 locus.     

ChAy/Bx, a novel chimeric high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit gene apparently created by homoeologous recombination in Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides

High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) are of considerable interest, because they play a crucial role in determining dough viscoelastic properties and end-use quality of wheat flour. In this paper, ChAy/Bx, a novel chimeric HMW-GS gene from Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides (AABB, 2n = 4x = 28) accession D129, was isolated and characterized. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis revealed that the electrophoretic mobility of the glutenin subunit encoded by ChAy/Bx was slightly faster than that of 1Dy12. The complete ORF of ChAy/Bx contained 1671 bp encoding a deduced polypeptide of 555 amino acid residues (or 534 amino acid residues for the mature protein), making it the smallest HMW-GS gene known from Triticum species. Sequence analysis showed that ChAy/Bx was neither a conventional x-type nor a conventional y-type subunit gene, but a novel chimeric gene. Its first 1305 nt sequence was highly homologous with the corresponding sequence of 1Ay type genes, while its final 366 nt sequence was highly homologous with the corresponding sequence of 1Bx type genes. The mature ChAy/Bx protein consisted of the N-terminus of 1Ay type subunit (the first 414 amino acid residues) and the C-terminus of 1Bx type subunit (the final 120 amino acid residues). Secondary structure prediction showed that ChAy/Bx contained some domains of 1Ay subunit and some domains of 1Bx subunit. The special structure of this HMW glutenin chimera ChAy/Bx subunit might have unique effects on the end-use quality of wheat flour. Here we propose that homoeologous recombination might be a novel pathway for allelic variation or molecular evolution of HMW-GSs.     

Characterisation of high- and low-molecular weight glutenin subunits associated to the D genome of Aegilops tauschii in a collection of synthetic hexaploid wheats

Synthetic hexaploid wheats (2n=6x=42, AABBDD) involving genomes from Triticum turgidum (2n= 4x=28, AABB) and Aegilops tauschii (2n=2x=14, DD) have been produced as a means for introducing desirable characteristics into bread wheat. In the present work we describe the genetic variability present at the Glu-D ^t 1 and Glu-D ^t 3 loci, encoding high- (HMW) and low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin subunits respectively, derived from Ae. tauschii, using electrophoretic and chromatographic methods, in a collection of synthetic hexaploid wheats. A wide variation both in mobility and surface hydrophobicity of HMW glutenin subunits was observed between different accessions of Ae. tauschii used in the production of the synthetic hexaploids. A combination of electrophoretic and chromatographic methods improves the identification of HMW glutenin subunits; in fact subunits with identical apparent mobility were revealed to have a different surface hydrophobicity by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. None of the Dx5^t subunits present in Ae. tauschii showed the presence of the extra cysteine residue found in the HMW glutenin subunit Dx5 of Triticum aestivum, as revealed by selective amplification with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The wide variability and the high number of subunits encoded by the Glu-D ^t 3 locus suggests that Ae. tauschii may be a rich source for enhancing the genetic variability of glutenin subunits in bread wheat and improving bread-making properties. Received: 3 March 2001 / Accepted: 23 March 2001     

云南小麦高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基基因1Dy12*的分离

通过SDS-PAGE分析,从云南小麦中鉴定出一个电泳迁移率比高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基1Dy12稍快的亚基1Dy12^*。利用Glu-Dy位点特异引物对1Dy12^*基因编码区进行了克隆和序列测定。1Dy12^*基因全长为1980bp,编码658个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比较结果表明:与亚基1Dy12相比有3个氨基酸的差异和1个二肽(GQ)的缺失,与亚基1Dy10相比有15个氨基酸的差异、2个六肽(IGQGQQ)的插入以及1个二肽(GQ)的缺失。这表明1Dy12^*亚基是一个新型高分子麦谷蛋白亚基,其对小麦加工品质的影响正在评价中。     

Functional properties of flours from field grown transgenic wheat lines expressing the HMW glutenin subunit 1Ax1 and 1Dx5 genes

The high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) of wheat are major determinants of the viscoelastic properties of gluten and dough. The bread making quality of field grown transgenic lines of bread wheat expressing the HMW-GS 1Ax1 or 1Dx5 genes were evaluated over a two year period. Subunit 1Ax1 represented about 29% and 48% of the total HMW-GS in lines 1-2 and 2-2, respectively, while subunit 1Dx5 represented 65.4% and 62% of the total HMW-GS in transgenic lines 6-2 and 9, respectively. The expression of subunits 1Ax1 or 1Dx5 in transgenic wheat led to corresponding decreases in the proportions of endogenous HMW-GS. HMW-GS 1Ax1 and 1Dx5 had contrasting effects on dough quality determined by the Alveograph and sedimentation test. Subunit 1Ax1 increased the tenacity (P), extensibility (L), deformation work (W), and sedimentation value, with the increase being related to the level of expression. In contrast, subunit 1Dx5 led to a smaller increment in the tenacity (P), but to drastic decrease in both extensibility (L), deformation work (W), and the sedimentation value. Expression of subunit 1Ax1 in transgenic wheat resulted in lines with improved rheological properties whereas the lines expressing subunit 1Dx5 resulted in unsuitable breadmaking-related characteristics.     

Quality of synthetic hexaploid wheat containing null alleles at Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 loci

Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccon PI94668 and PI349045 were identified as containing null alleles at Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 loci in previous investigation. Sequencing of the respective HMW-GS genes Ax, Bx, Ay and By in both accessions indicated equal DNA lengths with gene silencing caused by 1 to 4 in-frame stop codon(s) in the open reading frames. Six synthetic hexaploid wheat lines were produced by crossing PI94668 or PI349045 with six Aegilops tauschii by spontaneous chromosome doubling of unreduced gametes. As expected, these amphiploids had three different HMW-GS: Dx 3.1^t?+?Dy11*^t, Dx2.1^t?+?10^t and Dx2^t?+?Dy12^t in Glu-D1 but double nulls in Glu-A1 and Glu-B1. Quality tests showed that most quality parameters in two T. turgidum ssp. dicoccon parents were very low due to the lack of HMW-GSs. However, incorporation of HMW-GS from Ae. tauschii in six synthetic hexaploid wheat lines significantly increased most quality related parameters. The potential values of these wheat lines in improving the quality of wheat are discussed.     

Stably expressed <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-genome-derived HMW glutenin subunit genes transformed into different durum wheat genotypes change dough mixing properties

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) is traditionally used for the production of numerous types of pasta, and significant amounts are also used for bread-making, particularly in southern Italy. The research reported here centres on the glutenin subunits 1Dx5 and 1Dy10 encoded by chromosome 1D, and whose presence in hexaploid wheats is positively correlated with higher dough strength. In order to study the effects of stable expression of the 1Dx5 and 1Dy10 glutenin subunits in different durum wheat genotypes, four cultivars commonly grown in the Mediterranean area (‘Svevo’, ‘Creso’, ‘Varano’ and ‘Latino’) were co-transformed, via particle bombardment of cultured immature embryos, with the two wheat genes Glu-D1-1d and Glu-D1-2b encoding the glutenin subunits, and a third plasmid containing the bar gene as a selectable marker. Protein gel analyses of T₁ generation seed extracts showed expression of one or both glutenin genes in four different transformed durum wheat plants. One of these transgenic lines, DC2-65, showed co-suppression of all HMW-GS, including the endogenous ones. Transgene stability in the transgenic lines has been studied over four generations (T₁–T₄). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of metaphase chromosomes from T₄ plants showed that the integration of transgenes occurred in both telomeric and centromeric regions. The three plasmids were found inserted at a single locus in two lines and in two loci on the same chromosome arm in one line. The fourth line had two transgenic loci on different chromosomes: one with both glutenin plasmids and a different one containing only the construct with the gene encoding the 1Dy10 glutenin subunit. Segregation of these two loci in subsequent generations allowed establishment of two sublines, one containing both 1Dx5 and 1Dy10 and the other containing only 1Dy10. Small-scale quality tests showed that accumulation of Dx5, Dy10 or both in transgenic durum wheat seeds resulted in doughs with stronger mixing characteristics. A. Gadaleta and A. E. Blechl have contributed equally to this work.     

Isolation and characterization of five novel high molecular weight subunit of glutenin genes from Triticum timopheevi and Aegilops cylindrica

Analysis by SDS-PAGE of total protein fractions from single seeds of Aegilops cylindrica (genomes C and D) and Triticum timopheevi (genomes A and G) showed the presence of three bands corresponding to high molecular weight subunits of glutenin (HMW subunits) in the former and two major bands and a minor band corresponding to HMW subunits in the latter. Three Ae. cylindrica and two T. timopheevi HMW subunit gene sequences, each comprising the entire coding region, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and their complete nucleotide sequences determined. A combination of N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the proteins identified by SDS-PAGE and alignments of the derived amino acid sequences of the proteins encoded by the PCR products identified the Ae. cylindrica HMW subunits as 1Cx, 1Cy and 1Dy, and the T. timopheevi HMW subunits as 1Gx, 1Ax and 1Ay. It was not clear whether or not a 1Gy HMW subunit was present in T. timopheevi. The PCR products from Ae. cyclindrica were derived from 1Cy and 1Dy genes and a silent 1Dx gene containing an in-frame internal stop codon, while those from T. timopheevi were derived from 1Ax and 1Ay genes. The 1Cx, 1Gx and 1Gy sequences were not amplified successfully. The proteins encoded by the five novel genes had similar structures to previously characterized HMW subunits of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Differences and similarities in sequence and structure, and in the distribution of cysteine residues (relevant to the ability of HMW subunits to form high M_r polymers) distinguished the HMW subunits of x- and y-type and of each genome rather than those of the different species. There was no evidence of a change in HMW subunit expression or structure resulting from selective breeding of bread wheat. The novel 1Ax, 1Ay, 1Cy and 1Dy HMW subunits were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the expressed proteins were shown to have very similar mobilities to the endogenous HMW subunits on SDS-PAGE. The truncated 1Dx gene from Ae. cylindrica failed to express in E. coli, and no HMW subunit-related protein of the size predicted for the truncated 1Dx subunit could be identified by immunodetection in seed extracts.     

Detection and characterization of a glutenin subunit with unusual high Mr at the Glu-A1 locus in hexaploid wheat

A hexaploid wheat landrace collected from the Baluchistan province of Pakistan was found to possess a novel high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS). The subunit has a very slow electrophoretic mobility as revealed by SDS-PAGE, and its molecular weight is comparable to that of the highest molecular weight glutenin subunit (2.2 encoded in the D-genome) reported so far in hexaploid wheat varieties and landraces of Japanese origin. Evidence obtained from (PCR) gene amplification studies using the primers specific for Glu-1 loci proved that the gene coding for this novel subunit belongs to the Glu-A1 locus located on the long arm of chromosome 1A. Digestion of the amplified gene (PCR product) with restriction enzymes indicated that the novel gene differs from prevailing Glu-A1 alleles (null, 1 and 2^*) by an extra DNA fragment of approximately 600 base pairs. The results also indicated that the novel subunit is most probably a derivative of subunit 2^* that has very likely incorporated the 600-bp fragment following a process of unequal crossing over. The present findings were further substantiated by reserved phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis.     

A proline-rich chitinase from Beta vulgaris

A gene (Chl) encoding a novel type of chitinase was isolated from Beta vulgaris. The Ch1 protein consists of an N-terminal hydrophobic prepeptide of 25 amino acids followed by a hevein-like domain of 22 amino acid residues, an unusually long proline-rich domain of 131 amino acid residues with 90 prolines, and finally a catalytic domain of 261 amino acid residues. Proteins with similar proline-rich domains are present in some other plants. The Chl gene shows a transient expression in response to fungal infection.     

A cDNA clone from barley encoding the precursor from the photosystem I polypeptide PSI-G: Sequence similarity to PSI-K

A cDNA clone encoding the photosystem I subunit, PSI-G was isolated from barley using an oligonucleotide specifying a partial amino acid sequence from a 9 kDa polypeptide of barley photosystem I. The 724 bp sequence contains an open reading frame encoding a precursor polypeptide of 15 107 kDa. Import studies using the in vitro expressed barley PsaG cDNA clone demonstrate that PSI-G migrates with an apparent molecular mass of 9 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gels together with PSI-C (subunit-VII). The previous assignment of the gene product of PsaG from spinach as subunit V (Steppuhn J, Hermans J, Nechushtai R, Ljungberg U, Thümmler F, Lottspeich F, Herrmann RG, FEBS Lett 237: 218–224, 1988) needs to be re-examined. The expression of the psaG gene is light-induced similar to other barley photosystem I genes. A significant sequence similarity to PSI-K from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was discovered when a gene database was searched with the barley PSI-G amino acid sequence. Extensive sequence similarity between the nuclear-encoded photosystem I subunits has not previously been found. The observed sequence similarity between PSI-G and PSI-K suggests a symmetric location of these subunits in the photosystem I complex. The hydropathy plot of the barley PSI-G polypeptide indicates two membrane-spanning regions which are also found at the corresponding locations in the PSI-K polypeptide. PSI-G and PSI-K probably have evolved from a gene duplication of an ancestral gene.