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Activity of the promoter of the Lhca3.St.1 gene, encoding the potato apoprotein 2 of the light-harvesting complex of Photosystem I, in transgenic potato and tobacco plants

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Abstract

We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones for the potato (Solanum tuberosum) apoprotein 2 of the light harvesting complex of Photosystem I, designated Lhca3.St.1. The protein shows all characteristics of the family of chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins. Potato Lhca3.1 gene expression occurs predominantly in leaves, and is transcriptionally regulated by light. One gene copy is present per haploid genome. The sequence of the 5′ upstream region was determined. Most boxes identified in the promoter sequences of genes whose expression is light-regulated recur in the Lhca3.St.1 sequence. Functional analyses of the Lhca3.St.1 promoter and two deletion derivatives in transgenic potato transformed with a promoter-GUS fusion show high promoter activity in leaves and other green parts of the plant, which depends on light. Activity is absent in roots and potato tubers. The 500 bp promoter fragment is as active as the full 2.0 kb sequence, showing that all regulatory elements are present on the smallest deletion derivative. In transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants carrying the largest promoter derivative a similar distribution of activity is found. Promoter activity is not restricted to the phloem, but also prominent in the xylem of the young stem, which contrasts with promoters of other photosynthesis-associated genes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology, Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research (CPRO-DLO), P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, Netherlands

    Jan-Peter Nap, Martin van Spanje, Wim G. Dirkse, Ludmila Mlynarova, Annelies Loonen, Petra Grondhuis & Willem J. Stiekema

  2. Department of Genetics, Biological Centre, Groningen University, P.O. Box 14, 9751 AA, Haren, Netherlands

    Gert Baarda

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  1. Jan-Peter Nap
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  2. Martin van Spanje
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  3. Wim G. Dirkse
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  4. Gert Baarda
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  5. Ludmila Mlynarova
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  6. Annelies Loonen
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  7. Petra Grondhuis
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  8. Willem J. Stiekema
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Nap, JP., van Spanje, M., Dirkse, W.G. et al. Activity of the promoter of the Lhca3.St.1 gene, encoding the potato apoprotein 2 of the light-harvesting complex of Photosystem I, in transgenic potato and tobacco plants. Plant Mol Biol 23, 605–612 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019307

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019307

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