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Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel gene encoding zinc finger protein from Medicago sativa L.

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Abstract

A suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) cDNA library had been constructed to identify differentially expressed genes. Based on the sequence of an expressed sequence tag (EST) homologous to Pisum sativum zinc finger protein mRNA (Accession number: AF160911), the full-length cDNA of 1,676 nucleotides was cloned from alfalfa by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). It was designated as MsZFN, encoding a protein of 418 amino acids. The amino acid sequence compared by blast revealed high homology with zinc finger protein of other plants. Sequence comparison showed that there were five conserved typical zinc finger motifs, and one sugar transfer protein signature. The calculated molecular weight of the MsZFN protein was 45.8 k Da, and theoretical isoelectric point was 8.13. The MsZFN localized in nucleus. Under normal growth conditions, differential expression of MsZFN exhibited that the expression was the highest in leaf and the lowest in root. MsZFN was quickly and transiently induced by NaCl treatment and reached its maximum at 30 min.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Prof. Xiaodong Zhang and Dr. Longfeng Yan for advices and helps. This work was supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program (2008BADB3B05).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Yuehui Chao, Junmei Kang, Qingchuan Yang, Mingsheng Wu & Yan Li

  2. Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of China

    Yuehui Chao, Pingqing Wang, Ruicai Long & Zhihui Qin

  3. College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agriculture University, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of China

    Yan Sun

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  1. Yuehui Chao
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  2. Junmei Kang
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Correspondence to Qingchuan Yang.

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Chao, Y., Kang, J., Sun, Y. et al. Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel gene encoding zinc finger protein from Medicago sativa L.. Mol Biol Rep 36, 2315–2321 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-009-9450-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-009-9450-5

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