The expression profile of lectin differs from that of seed storage proteins in Castanea crenata trees

Using Northern blot analysis, the expression of the Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.) agglutinin (CCA) gene was compared with that of its seed storage protein (SSP) gene. After cDNA cloning of SSP, the expression profile of SSP mRNA and CCA mRNA were compared. SSP mRNA was seed-specific, while CCA mRNA was expressed in the stems and flowers (both male and female) as well as in the seeds. Whereas extracts from all organs observed using Western blot analysis exhibited positive signals, in seeds, large expressions of SSP mRNA were restricted to the late maturation and harvest stages. Levels were maintained during the dormant period. No expression was observed during the germination stage. In contrast, CCA mRNA expression was maintained at a high level during development, was at a relatively low level during dormancy, and showed subsequent high expression during germination. These results suggest that one of the physiological roles of CCA is to act as a vegetative storage protein. But since protein expression did not coincide with that of mRNA, the expression of CCA may be regulated both at the transcription and the translation levels.