Unusual sequences of group 3 LEA mRNA inducible by maturation or drying in soybean seeds

Two cDNA clones, pGmPM8 and pGmPM10, which correspond to two mRNA species in mature or dry soybean seeds, were characterized. The deduced proteins, based on DNA sequence analysis, have a molecular mass of 49 and 51 kDa for pGmPM8 and pGmPM10, respectively. These two cDNA clones share a high homology with an amino acid identity of about 90% between the two deduced proteins. Both proteins appear to be extremely hydrophilic except at their N-termini that contain a 29 amino acid hydrophobic region at the N-terminus and the sizes of proteins decrease after co-incubating with ER membranes. These two proteins contain more than 30 similar, contiguous repeats of 11 amino acids, which is characteristic of group 3 LEA proteins. The mRNAs corresponding to pGmPM8 and pGmPM10 were expressed at high levels in dried or mature soybean seeds, but not in fresh immature seeds. The RNAs were also present in abscisic acid (ABA) treated leaves or cultured cells, and in tissues subjected to water stress or low temperatures.