A breast basic conserved 1 (BBC1) cDNA has been isolated from common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Analysis of amino acid sequence derived from the cDNA showed that the wheat BBC1 was highly hydrophilic and rich in alanine, lysine, glutamic acid and arginine residues. The transcription of wheat BBC1 mRNA was regulated by low temperature. Southern blotting analysis showed that BBC1 existed as a small family in common wheat genome.
Violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) is the key enzyme in the xanthophyll cycle and protects plant photosynthetic apparatus from the damage of excessive light. A wheat (Triticum aestivum L cv. Xiaoyan 54) VDE cDNA was obtained using RT-PCR method. Its deduced protein sequence shares high identity with that of Arabidopsis and rice. Southern blot revealed that there are three copies of VDE gene per haploid genome of wheat. VDE transcript levels were higher in green leaf than in root, seed and etiolated leaf. Northern blotting analysis indicated that VDE mRNA level is induced during greening process of etiolated wheat seedling and increased by intense light illumination.
An S-like RNase cDNA had been isolated from common wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The transcription of WRN1 mRNA was down-regulated by natural- and dark-induced senescence. But it was not senile-tissue-specific. As the two key histidine residues were replaced, WRN1 may not be active as RNase. Southern blotting analysis showed that WRN1 exists as one of a small gene family in common wheat genome.
