Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">CONSTANS</Emphasis>-like gene from potato

A full-length cDNA of a StCONSTANS-like (StCOL) gene was cloned from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) by RTPCR and RACE. The predicted amino acid sequence of this cDNA has a high degree of identity with other homologous members of the CO or COL family. Analysis of mRNA levels for StCOL shows that it is highly expressed in leaves and becomes weaker during tuberization; moreover, is independent of gibberellin A₃ and sucrose. Published in Russian in Biokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 72, No. 11, pp. 1525–1531.