title: Tissue-preferential expression of a rice alpha-tubulin gene, OsTubA1, mediated by the first intron.
abstract: The genomic clone encoding an alpha-tubulin, OsTubA1, has been isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.). The gene consists of four exons and three introns. RNA-blot analysis showed that the gene is strongly expressed in actively dividing tissues, including root tips, young leaves, and young flowers. Analysis of chimeric fusions between OsTubA1 and beta-glucuronidase (GUS) revealed that the intron 1 was required for high-level GUS expression in actively dividing tissues, corresponding with normal expression pattern of OsTubA1. Fusion constructs lacking the intron 1 showed more GUS staining in mature tissues rather than young tissues. When the intron 1 was placed at the distal region from 5'-upstream region or at the 3'-untranslated region, no enhancement of GUS expression was observed. Sequential deletions of the OsTubA1 intron 1 brought about a gradual reduction of GUS activity in calli. These results suggest that tissue-preferential expression of the OsTubA1 gene is mediated by the intron 1 and that it may be involved in a mechanism for an efficient RNA splicing that is position dependent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and National Research Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics, Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D015152:Blotting, Northern; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007438:Introns; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D005966:Glucuronidase