Characterization and Expression of a Novel Member (JBURE-II) of the Urease Gene Family from Jackbean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC]

Melissa Pires-Alves, Maria Fátima Grossi-de-Sá, Grace B. S. Barcellos, Célia R. Carlini, Marcelo G. Moraes
2003 Plant and Cell Physiology  
Canavalia ensiformis (jackbean) seeds contain the proteins urease and canatoxin, a variant form of the jackbean urease. Here we have cloned a cDNA encoding another isoform of urease, called JBURE-II. This cDNA was obtained by RT-PCR using as template total RNA extracted from C. ensiformis tissues. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that JBURE-II clones share 86% similarity with known jackbean urease. The presence in C. ensiformis of a family of urease-related genes with at least three members
more » ... as demonstrated by Southern blot analysis. In order to understand the pattern of expression of the JBURE-II gene, we collected tissue samples from different stages of flower and embryo development. The results of RT-PCR show that JBURE-II is expressed from flower buds throughout seed maturation. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicates that expression of urease and JBURE-II genes is induced in seedlings and in leaves treated with abscisic acid, a phytohormone involved in seed maturation and wound response. This work constitutes the first report on the presence of a family of urease genes in jackbean, and provides characterization of a cDNA encoding a new member of this gene family.
doi:10.1093/pcp/pcg018 pmid:12610216 fatcat:io2oe4aqnff3hd6kt5uztewlja