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Structural characterization of a rice actin gene.
D McElroy1, M Rothenberg, R Wu
1Field of Botany, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Plant Molecular Biology
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Researchers characterized the rice actin gene RAc1, revealing a unique 5'-noncoding exon. This finding advances understanding of plant actin gene structure and the rice actin gene family.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Genetics
Background:
- Actin genes are essential for eukaryotic cell structure and function.
- Previous studies on plant actin genes have provided partial structural information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform the first complete structural characterization of a plant actin gene.
- To investigate the structure of the rice actin gene RAc1.
- To explore the features of the rice actin gene family.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and sequencing of a full-length cDNA clone for the rice actin gene RAc1.
- Transcript terminus mapping.
- Sequence alignment between cDNA and genomic clones.
Main Results:
- Complete structural characterization of the RAc1 gene.
- Identification of a 5 oncoding exon separated by an intron from the first translated exon.
- Confirmation that the rice actin gene family comprises at least eight members.
Conclusions:
- The RAc1 gene possesses a 5 oncoding exon, a rare feature in plant genes, suggesting it may be common in plant actin genes.
- This study provides a comprehensive structural analysis of a plant actin gene.
- The rice actin gene family is more complex than previously known.