A gene coding for a basic pathogenesis-related (PR-like) protein from Zea mays. Molecular cloning and induction by a fungus (Fusarium moniliforme) in germinating maize seeds.
Pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs) are plant proteins produced in leaves in response to infection by pathogens including viruses, viroids, fungi and bacteria. Information on the presence and/or expression of PRs in monocotyledonous plants is scare. Here we report the identification of cDNA and genomic clones coding for a basic form of a protein from germinating maize seeds having a high homology with the group of PR-1 from tobacco. A cDNA library enriched in aleurone-specific sequences was prepared from maize seeds two days after germination. One clone was found to contain an open reading frame encoding a protein homologous to PR proteins from tomato (p14) and tobacco (PR-1 group). Sequence analysis of the corresponding genomic clone revealed that it was encoded by a single exon. Besides, DNA blot hybridization indicates that this PR-like protein is encoded by a single-copy gene in maize. The accumulation of its mRNA increases after rehydration of desiccated seeds. Furthermore, a relationship was found between its expression and infection by a natural pathogen of maize, the fungus Fusarium moniliforme. The possible role of this protein as a response mechanism following fungal infection in cereal seeds is discussed.
Casacuberta
J M
JM
Dep. Genètica Molecular, Centre d'Investigació i Desenvolupament (C.S.I.C.), Barcelona, Spain.
Puigdomènech
P
P
San Segundo
B
B
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005670:Fusarium / Q000235:genetics*; D015723:Gene Library; D017343:Genes, Plant; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010940:Plant Proteins; C053376:pathogenesis-related proteins, plant; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA