Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding rice elongation factor 1 beta'

A cDNA clone coding for rice elongation factor 1 beta' (EF-1 beta') was isolated from a rice anther cDNA library. The clone, named RB', was 980 bp long and contained a single open reading frame coding for 223 amino acids; the first 31 amino acids, except for the first methionine, which is absent in the mature protein, are identical to those of the purified protein determined with a protein sequencer. The amino acid sequence of rice EF-1 beta' shows homology to the C-terminal half of Artemia salina EF-1 beta (59%) and human EF-1 beta (63%), but might not have a phosphorylation site for casein kinase II which has been conserved in Artemia saline EF-1 beta and EF-1 delta, human EF-1 beta and silkworm EF-1 beta'.