title: Expression and in vitro targeting of a sunflower oleosin.
abstract: Two distinct cDNAs encoding oleosins (oil body proteins) have been identified by degenerate PCR as transcripts present in the developing seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Dwarf Sunbred). One (pSOM) of these is closely related to a reported sunflower oleosin, whilst the other (pSO5) has not been previously described. Different expression patterns were observed for the two cDNAs, pSO5 being expressed earlier than pSOM in seed maturation and oil deposition. The results support the contention that oleosin proteins are synthesised either during or closely after the formation of the oil body. Translation in vitro of synthetic oleosin transcripts was enhanced by the addition of microsomes but suppressed by the addition of purified signal recognition particle (SRP) complex. Deletion of 62 amino acid residues at the C-terminus of the oleosin did not alter the in vitro targeting of the protein to the microsomal membrane. Taken together these data support the idea that oleosins are targeted to the ER membrane as part of oil body biogenesis.
authors.affiliation: IACR-Long Ashton Research Station, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thoyts
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Millichip
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Stobart
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Shewry
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Napier
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001692:Biological Transport; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004285:Dogs; D006368:Helianthus / Q000235:genetics*; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C079350:oleosin, Helianthus annuus