ISSN:
1432-1432
Keywords:
Gene evolution
;
Seed storage proteins
;
Desiccation
;
Myxomycetes
;
Protein domains
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The legumin- and vicilin-like seed storage globulins of spermatophytes are specifically accumulated during embryogenesis and seed development. Previous studies have shown that a precursor common to both legumin and vicilin genes might have evolved by duplication from a single-domain ancestral gene. We here report that amino acid sequences of legumin and vicilin domains share statistically significant similarity to the germination-specific germins of wheat as well as to the spherulation-specific spherulins of myxomycetes. This conclusion is further supported by the derived intron-exon structure of a spherulin gene. Spherulins are thought to be involved in tissue desiccation or hydration. It is suggested that the present-day seed globulins of spermatophytes have evolved from a group of ancient proteins functional in cellular desiccation/hydration processes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00173188
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