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The promoter of a Brassica napus lipid transfer protein gene is active in a range of tissues and stimulated by light and viral infection in transgenic Arabidopsis

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Abstract

cDNA and genomic clones encoding Brassica napus non-specific lipid transfer proteins (LTP) were isolated and sequenced. The encoded amino acid sequences were very similar to those reported previously for LTPs from B. napus and other species. Sequence information indicates that B. napus contains an LTP gene family. The 5′-flanking region of one gene, designated BnLTP, was fused to GUS and the fusion introduced into Arabidopsis. LTP transcripts and BnLTP-Gus expression were present predominantly in the epidermis of leaf and stem, consistent with the hypothesised function of LTPs in the deposition of cuticular or epicuticular waxes. However, GUS activity was detected in other tissues, including lateral root initials, anthers, stigmas and vascular tissues, which may suggest additional functions. LTP transcript levels in B. napus and Arabidopsis and BnLTP-GUS expression in transgenic Arabidopsis were stimulated by blue and red light but not UV-B. BnLTP promoter activity was also stimulated upon viral infection, at a time when the virus had spread systemically. No increase in expression was observed in response to cold or wounding.

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  1. Jacqueline A. Pallas

    Present address: Centre for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Molecular Science Group, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bower Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK

    Awinder K. Sohal & Gareth I. Jenkins

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  1. Awinder K. Sohal
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Sohal, A.K., Pallas, J.A. & Jenkins, G.I. The promoter of a Brassica napus lipid transfer protein gene is active in a range of tissues and stimulated by light and viral infection in transgenic Arabidopsis. Plant Mol Biol 41, 75–87 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006232700835

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