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Tissue-specific expression of a pea legumin gene in seeds of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia

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Abstract

A 3.4-kilobase genomic DNA fragment from Pisum sativum L. containing the LegA gene, which encodes a major legumin storage protein, was transferred to Nicotiana plumbaginifolia using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain containing the Bin 19 binary vector system. Northern hybridisation analysis of legA-transformed plants demonstrated that legumin-specific RNA was present in developing seeds but not in developing leaves. Legumin protein was immunologically detected in the mature seeds of legA-transformed plants, and was present as the correct-size protein composed of disulphide-bonded polypeptides. It is concluded that the transferred pea genomic fragment contains all the information necessary for seed-specific expression of the legA gene, and for correct processing of the primary transcript and the precursor legumin protein.

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Author notes

  1. J. R. Ellis

    Present address: Jealott's Hill Research Station, ICI International Seeds Business, RG12 6EY, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK

  2. A. Hepher

    Present address: Shell Research Ltd., Sittingbourne Research Centre, ME9 8AG, Sittingbourne, Kent, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Durham, South Road, DH1 3LE, Durham, UK

    J. R. Ellis, A. H. Shirsat, A. Hepher, J. N. Yarwood, J. A. Gatehouse, R. R. D. Croy & D. Boulter

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  1. J. R. Ellis
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  2. A. H. Shirsat
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  3. A. Hepher
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  4. J. N. Yarwood
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  5. J. A. Gatehouse
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  6. R. R. D. Croy
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  7. D. Boulter
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Ellis, J.R., Shirsat, A.H., Hepher, A. et al. Tissue-specific expression of a pea legumin gene in seeds of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia . Plant Mol Biol 10, 203–214 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027397

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027397

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