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A rhodopsin-like protein in Cyanophora paradoxa: gene sequence and protein immunolocalization

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Abstract

Here, we report the DNA sequence of the rhodopsin gene in the alga Cyanophora paradoxa (Glaucophyta). The primers were designed according to the conserved regions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic rhodopsin-like proteins deposited in the GenBank. The sequence consists of 1,272 bp comprised of 5 introns. The correspondent protein, named Cyanophopsin, showed high identity to rhodopsin-like proteins of Archea, Bacteria, Fungi, and Algae. At the N-terminal, the protein is characterized by a region with no transmembrane α-helices (80 aa), followed by a region with 7α-helices (219 aa) and a shorter 35-aa C-terminal region. The DNA sequence of the N-terminal region was expressed in E. coli and the recombinant purified peptide was used as antigen in hens to obtain polyclonal antibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence in C. paradoxa cells showed a marked labeling of the muroplast (aka cyanelle) membrane.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank all the fellows of the “Cooperativa l’Uovo di Colombo” of Viareggio (Italy) for the care they took of our Leghorn hens and Dr. Antonio Barsanti for veterinary assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Biofisica, CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Anna Maria Frassanito, Laura Barsanti, Vincenzo Passarelli, Valtere Evangelista & Paolo Gualtieri

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  1. Anna Maria Frassanito
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  2. Laura Barsanti
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  3. Vincenzo Passarelli
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  4. Valtere Evangelista
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  5. Paolo Gualtieri
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Correspondence to Paolo Gualtieri.

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Frassanito, A.M., Barsanti, L., Passarelli, V. et al. A rhodopsin-like protein in Cyanophora paradoxa: gene sequence and protein immunolocalization. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 67, 965–971 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-009-0225-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-009-0225-x

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