Intracellular localization of a class IV chitinase from yam.
Genomic DNA encoding a class IV chitinase was cloned from yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb) leaves in previous research (Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 68, 1508-1517 (2004)). But this chitinase had an additional sequence composed of eight amino acids (a C-terminal extension) at the C-terminal, compared with class IV chitianses from other plants. In order to clarify the role of this C-terminal extension in cellular localization, plants and suspension-cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum were transformed with either the cloned yam class IV chitinase gene carrying the C-terminal extension or its truncated gene by the Agrobacterium-mediated method, and then their localization was investigated. The results suggest that the C-terminal extension of yam class IV chitinase plays a role as a targeting signal for plant vacuoles. This is the first report presenting the existence of vacuolar type class IV chitinase.
Mitsunaga
Takuji
T
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
Iwase
Minoru
M
Yuki
Dai
D
Koga
Daizo
D
D002688:Chitinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000235:genetics; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000201:enzymology; D043323:alpha-Mannosidase / Q000378:metabolism
D018744:DNA, Plant; D002688:Chitinases; D043323:alpha-Mannosidase