Cloning and expression analysis of Rubisco activase genes in Carya cathayensis

• Published in: Biotechnology, biotechnological equipment Vol. 30; no. 5; pp. 834 - 841
• Main Authors: Ji, Guo Cun, Zheng, Bing Song, Li, Xue Qin, Zhu, Xiang Tao, Jin, Song Heng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sofia Taylor & Francis 02.09.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: 3' Untranslated regions; Alternative splicing; Amplification; Carbon dioxide; Carya cathayensis; Cloning; Complementary DNA; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Developmental stages; DNA; Gene expression; Gene sequencing; Genes; Nucleotide sequence; Oxygenase; Photosynthesis; Plant growth; Polymerase chain reaction; Reverse transcription; Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate; Ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase; Rubisco activase
• ISSN: 1310-2818; 1314-3530
• DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2016.1208060

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is a key enzyme involved in CO 2 assimilation during photosynthesis. Rubisco activation depends on the activity of Rubisco activase (RCA). We performed 3′/5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify the 3′ and 5′ end sequences of RCA genes from hickory. We obtained two full-length gene sequences, designated CcRCAα and CcRCAβ. The two corresponding cDNAs are divergent in both the translated and 3′ untranslated regions. The analysis of the genomic DNA sequences suggested that the corresponding mRNAs are transcripts of two different genes and not the products of a single alternatively spliced pre-mRNA. We examined the expression of CcRCAα and CcRCAβ in hickory leaves at various stages of development by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. The results suggest that RCA genes play an important role in development and environmental responses. These results provide a basis for modulating RCA gene expression to improve the photosynthetic rate and plant growth in hickory.