title: Molecular cloning and characterisation of metallothionein type 2a gene from Jatropha curcas L., a promising biofuel plant.
abstract: In the present study, we have cloned a gene encoding JcMT2a protein from Jatropha curcas L., a promising biofuel tree species. Full length sequence of JcMT2a gene was isolated using RACE PCR. Heterologous expression of JcMT2a in Escherichia coli and its purification has shown distinct bands corresponding to the GST and GST-fused JcMT2a protein. Significant tolerance was observed in E. coli cells expressing recombinant GST-JcMT2a for zinc, copper and cadmium metals compared to cells expressing GST alone. JcMT2a also restored Cu and Cd tolerance in the metal sensitive yeast mutants. Quantitative real time PCR showed a significant increase in JcMT2a transcripts with Cu and Cd in the leaf compared to root tissue. Our Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis clearly demonstrates that J. curcas L. could be a potential candidate for phytoremediation to clean heavy metals from the environment, in addition to its non-edible oil seed yields for biodiesel production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mudalkar
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Golla
authors.forename: Debashree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.forename: Sreenivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghatty
authors.forename: Attipalli Ramachandra
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D056804:Biofuels; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D031286:Jatropha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D050296:Microbial Viability; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010940:Plant Proteins; D008668:Metallothionein; D019256:Cadmium Chloride; D019327:Copper Sulfate