Molecular cloning and characterization of gene coding for γ-tocopherol methyltransferase from lettuce (Lactuca...

γ-tocopherol methyltransferase is an important rate-limiting enzyme involved in tocopherol biosynthesis. The full-length cDNA encoding γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (designated as LsTMT) was cloned from Lactuca sativa for the first time by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and characterized by means of quantitative RT-PCR. The full-length cDNA of LsTMT was 1131 bp, with an open reading frame of 897 bp encoding a γ-tocopherol methyltransferase protein of 298 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 33.06 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.86. Comparative analysis revealed that LsTMT has a close similarity with γ-TMTs from other plant species. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that LsTMT shares a common evolutionary origin based on sequence similarity and has the closest relationship to γ-TMT from the sunflower, Helianthus annuus. Based on quantitative RT-PCR analysis, we found that expression of LsTMT is induced and strengthened by oxidative stresses such as strong light and drought. The cloning and characterization of LsTMT will be helpful to further understanding its role in the tocopherol biosynthesis pathway. We consider it to be a candidate gene for metabolic engineering of vitamin E in vegetable crops.