Developmental analysis of elongation factor-1 alpha expression in transgenic tobacco.
The developmental regulation of the translational elongation factor EF-1 alpha has been analyzed in tobacco. A gene fusion was constructed consisting of the 5' and 3' regions of the tomato genomic clone LeEF-A from the EF-1 alpha gene family and the beta-glucuronidase coding region. Analysis of the transgenic plants containing this chimeric gene demonstrated that the tomato LeEF-A flanking sequences were sufficient to confer expression patterns similar to those of the endogenous tobacco EF-1 alpha gene. The patterns of beta-glucuronidase activity in this system indicated that during plant growth and development EF-1 alpha is regulated with increased expression corresponding to regions of high protein synthesis, including meristems, rapidly growing tissues, and developing gametophytes. In addition, EF-1 alpha expression responds rapidly to changes in growth patterns induced by hormone treatment. Our results are in agreement with studies in animals indicating that EF-1 alpha expression may be rate limiting for protein synthesis and demonstrate that the analysis of EF-1 alpha is of value for studying interrelationships between protein synthesis and developmental control.
Ursin
V M
VM
Calgene Inc., Davis, California 95616.
Irvine
J M
JM
Hiatt
W R
WR
Shewmaker
C K
CK
D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001483:Base Sequence; D015870:Gene Expression; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis; D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1; D010445:Peptide Elongation Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012098:Reproduction; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1; D010445:Peptide Elongation Factors; D010940:Plant Proteins; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D005966:Glucuronidase