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Organ-specific expression of three leaf/stem specific cDNAs from potato is regulated by light and correlated with chloroplast development

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Summary

A cDNA library established from polyA+ RNA of leaves from potato (Solanum tuberosum) was analysed for sequences specifically present in leaves. Three cDNA-clones, one of which is the small subunit of Ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase (ss Rubisco), were obtained via differential screening using RNA from leaves, roots and tubers. Northern and RNA dot blot analysis demonstrate that the expression of these clones is higher by at least a factor of 100–500 in leaves as compared to roots and tubers. Genomic blot analysis shows that all three cDNA clones are encoded by small, multigene families.

Run-off experiments performed with isolated nuclei indicate that the organ-specific expression of these genes is controlled primarily at the level of transcription and is dependent on RNA polymerase II. Analysis of RNA isolated from explants of potato grown under different artificial conditions indicates that the leaf-specific expression of these clones is dependent on at least two factors, i.e. light and a state of differentiation that is accompanied by the formation of mature chloroplasts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, D-5000, Köln 30, Federal Republic of Germany

    Peter Eckes, Jeff Schell & Lothar Willmitzer

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  1. Peter Eckes
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  2. Jeff Schell
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  3. Lothar Willmitzer
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Communicated by H. Saedler

Dedicated to Professor Georg Melchers to celebrate his 50-year association with the journal

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Eckes, P., Schell, J. & Willmitzer, L. Organ-specific expression of three leaf/stem specific cDNAs from potato is regulated by light and correlated with chloroplast development. Molec Gen Genet 199, 216–224 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330262

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330262

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