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Isolation, characterisation and expression of a cDNA for pea cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase

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Abstract

In plants, phosphatidylcholine is the major phospholipid in extra-plastid membranes and is synthesised mainly by the CDP-choline pathway. Evidence from studies in animals, as well as in plants, suggests that the intermediate step catalysed by cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (CPCT) has a major control in carbon flux to this lipid. We have isolated a full-length CPCT cDNA (designated PCT2) from Pisum sativum cv. Feltham First using an Arabidopsis probe and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The deduced amino acid of PCT2 is 48%, 43% and 76% identical to the rat, yeast and Brassica napus amino acid sequences, respectively. Expression of the CPCT protein in Escherichia coli confirmed the activity of the enzyme. Expression of the PCT2 mRNA in pea roots and stems was increased by treatment with 0.1 µM indole-3-acetic acid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Molecular and Medical Biosciences, University of Wales Cardiff, Museum Avenue, PO Box 911, Cardiff, CF1 3US, UK

    Philippa L. Jones, David L. Willey & John L. Harwood

  2. Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK

    Peter Gacesa

Authors
  1. Philippa L. Jones
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  2. David L. Willey
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  3. Peter Gacesa
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  4. John L. Harwood
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Jones, P.L., Willey, D.L., Gacesa, P. et al. Isolation, characterisation and expression of a cDNA for pea cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase. Plant Mol Biol 37, 179–185 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005900522969

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