Identification of Novel Microsporogenesis-Associated Genes Encoding Proteins with a Nuclear Localization Signal.
- Resource Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Gun-Aajav BAYARMAA; Hisabumi TAKASE; Kazuyuki HIRATSUKA; Kengo MOROHASHI
- Source
- Plant Biotechnology. 2003, 20(2):137
- Subject
- meiosis
microsporogenesis
nuclear localization signal
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1342-4580
1347-6114
Microsporogenesis is a highly organized indispensable event for the sexual reproduction of higher plants. The process includes a series of organ development, cell differentiation and meiosis. We examined the functional genes involved in microsporogenesis by random sequencing using a cDNA library from lily zygotene stage microsporocytes and isolated two cDNAs encoding novel gene products. Deduced amino acid sequences of both gene products, designated M355 and M404 contained a cluster of basic amino acid residues that may constitute a nuclear loclization signal. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the temporal and spatial expression of M355 and M404 is associated with early stages of microsporogenesis or meiosis. Transient expression of GFP fusion proteins in onion epidermal cells revealed nuclear localization activity of both proteins. These results suggest that M355 and M404 are involved in a nuclear event during the progression of microsporogenesis in lily.