Structure and expression of the nuclear gene coding for the plastid CS1 ribosomal protein from spinach

The chloroplast ribosomal protein CS1 is an essential component of the plastids translational machinery involved in translation initiation. Southern analysis suggests that the corresponding nuclear gene is present in one copy in the spinach genome. We have isolated and sequenced the gene (rps1) to study its expression at the transcriptional level. The gene consists of 7 exons and 6 introns including an unusually large intron in the 5' coding region. No canonical TATA-box is found in the 5' upstream region of the gene. rps1 transcripts are detected early during germination and a significant accumulation is observed after the protrusion of the radicle. CS1 mRNAs are present in all organs of young seedlings although there are dramatic differences in the steady state level of the mRNAs between leaves and roots tissues. Transcripts accumulate independently of the presence or absence of light. Band shift analysis shows that the +1, -400 bp region of the gene can bind different sets of proteins isolated from roots and leaves nuclei. We suggest that the expression of the housekeeping plastid-related rps1 gene is regulated in a tissue-specific manner by transcriptional trans-acting factors.