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Molecular cloning and characterization of a LEAFY-like gene highly expressed in developing soybean seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2007

Qingchang Meng ,
Chunhong Zhang ,
Fang Huang ,
Junyi Gai  and
Deyue Yu
Qingchang Meng
Affiliation:
National Center for Soybean Improvement, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing210095, China
Chunhong Zhang
Affiliation:
National Center for Soybean Improvement, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing210095, China
Fang Huang
Affiliation:
National Center for Soybean Improvement, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing210095, China
Junyi Gai
Affiliation:
National Center for Soybean Improvement, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing210095, China
Deyue Yu*
Affiliation:
National Center for Soybean Improvement, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing210095, China
*
*Correspondence Fax: 86-25-84396410 Email: dyyu@njau.edu.cn
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Abstract

LEAFY (LFY)-like proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in plant growth and development. In this study, a LEAFY homologue in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], designated as GmLFY, was cloned from inflorescences by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. Sequence analysis showed that GmLFY cDNA contained a 1221 bp open reading frame, encoding 407 amino acid residues with typical characteristics of transcription factors. Subcellular localization in onion epidermal cells indicated that GmLFY protein was located in the nucleus. Analysis of the GmLFY genomic structure showed that the GmLFY gene has two introns with similar spliced sites as LFY-like genes in other plants. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that GmLFY was predominantly expressed in reproductive organs, such as inflorescences, pods and developing seeds. Further analysis showed that the expression level of GmLFY was higher in the middle stage than in the early or late stages of seed development, suggesting an essential regulatory role of GmLFY in soybean seed development.

Keywords

Glycine maxLEAFYseed developmentsoybeantranscription factor
Type
Short Communication
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 17 , Issue 4 , December 2007 , pp. 297 - 302
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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