A cDNA encoding a putative lipid transfer protein expressed in sunflower seeds

MARIANA CLELIA REGENTE; DE-LA-CANAL, L.

Journal of Plant Physiology

Elsevier

Año: 2003 vol. 160 p. 201 - 203

0176-1617

Based on the N-terminal sequence of a sunflower antifungal protein a full length cDNA (Ha-LTP5) encoding a putative lipid transfer protein from sunflower seeds was cloned using a RT-PCR-based strategy. However, the sequence of the deduced protein is not identical to that of the antifungal protein previously isolated. The nucleotide sequence presents an ORF of 116 amino acids with a putative signal peptide, thus encoding a mature protein of 90 amino acids which is basic and  hydrophobic. In contrast to the pattern of expression described for most LTP-like genes from dicots, Northern blot analyses detected constitutive expression of Ha-LTP5 in seeds but not in aerial parts of sunflower plants.