Cloning and expression analysis of sucrose-phosphate synthase from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

A cDNA clone encoding a sucrose-phosphate synthase from sugar beet (BvSPS 1) has been isolated by screening a tap root-specific cDNA library using a heterologous SPS cDNA from spinach. The 3635 bp sugar beet cDNA codes for a 1045 amino acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 118 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of sugar beet SPS shows homologies with SPS from maize (71% identity) and spinach (77% identity). Genomic Southern blot analysis suggests that BvSPS 1 is a low-copy-number gene. RNA blot analysis of sink and source leaves, root and tap root tissue shows that SPS 1 is expressed in an organ-specific manner, being predominantly active in tap root. Incubation of detached leaves of sugar beet in light in glucose-containing media leads to an accumulation of the SPS transcript, while sucrose feeding reduces the steady-state level of the mRNA.