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Barley aleurone cell development: molecular cloning of aleurone-specific cDNAs from immature grains

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Abstract

The cloning of 11 different homology groups of cDNAs representing genes expressed in aleurone, but not in starchy endosperm of 20-day-old barley grains is described. Among the cDNAs, four are aleurone-specific, while the remaining are also expressed in the embryo, but not in any other part of the plant.

Sequence analysis of one of the aleurone-specific clones, B11E, reveals an open reading frame coding for an unidentified 10.4 kDa protein with a putative signal sequence and a possible metal-binding finger. The B11E gene has a high GC content in the 5′ leader sequence (63%), as well as in the coding region (70%) compared to known cDNAs from the barley starchy endosperm. Northern analysis of B11E indicates maximum mRNA abundance around mid-phase of grain development.

When isolated immature aleurone/pericarp is incubated in tissue culture medium (MS) the B11E message disappears, indicating a requirement for a diffusible factor from the intact grain for its continued presence.

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Author notes

  1. Danny Alexander

    Present address: Calgene, 1920 Fifth Street, 95616, Davis, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Division of General Genetics, University of Oslo, PO Box 1031 Blindern, 0315, Oslo 3, Norway

    Kjetill Jakobsen, Sonja Sletner Klemsdal, Reidunn B. Aalen, Marie Bosnes & Odd-Arne Olsen

  2. Arco Plant Cell Research Institute, 6560 Trinity Court, 94568, Dublin, CA, USA

    Danny Alexander

Authors
  1. Kjetill Jakobsen
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  2. Sonja Sletner Klemsdal
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  3. Reidunn B. Aalen
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  4. Marie Bosnes
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  5. Danny Alexander
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  6. Odd-Arne Olsen
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Jakobsen, K., Klemsdal, S.S., Aalen, R.B. et al. Barley aleurone cell development: molecular cloning of aleurone-specific cDNAs from immature grains. Plant Mol Biol 12, 285–293 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00043205

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00043205

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