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A Rab-related small GTP binding protein is predominantly expressed in root nodules of Medicago sativa

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Abstract

Rab-related small GTP-binding proteins are known to be involved in the regulation of the vesicular transport system in eucaryotic cells. In this paper we report the isolation of the cDNA clone MS- rab11f from Medicago sativa (alfalfa) root nodules using a combination of RT-PCR and SSCP analysis. MS- rab11f shows high homology to the Rab-related cDNA clone LJ- rab11f from Lotus japonicus root nodules. The MS-Rab11F protein expressed in Escherichia coli was found to bind GTP, confirming that the isolated cDNA indeed codes for a small GTP-binding protein. Expression analysis by RT-PCR demonstrated that MS- rab11f is preferentially expressed in root nodules of alfalfa. Using the cDNA-sequence of MS-rab11f, a peptide-specific antibody was generated. Western blot analysis with this antibody revealed that two Rab11F isoforms, designated MS-Rab11FA and MS-Rab11FB, are found in M. sativa root nodules.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by Bayer Leverkusen and SFB613

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biologie-Genetik, Universität Bielefeld, Postfach 100 131, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany

    K. Schiene, S. Donath, M. Brecht, A. Pühler & K. Niehaus

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  1. K. Schiene
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  2. S. Donath
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  3. M. Brecht
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  4. A. Pühler
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  5. K. Niehaus
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Niehaus.

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Communicated by A. Kondorosi

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Schiene, K., Donath, S., Brecht, M. et al. A Rab-related small GTP binding protein is predominantly expressed in root nodules of Medicago sativa . Mol Genet Genomics 272, 57–66 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-004-1029-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-004-1029-1

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