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zrp2: a novel maize gene whose mRNA accumulates in the root cortex and mature stems

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Abstract

A near full-length cDNA clone (pZRP2) was isolated from a cDNA library constructed from maize root mRNAs. The predicted polypeptide has a calculated molecular mass of 66 975 Da, is largely hydrophilic, and contains 26 repeats of a motif the consensus sequence of which is RKATTSYG[S][D/E][D/E][D/E][D/E][P]. The function of the putative protein remains to be elucidated. The ZRP2 mRNA accumulates to the highest levels in young roots, and is also present in mature roots and stems of maize. Further analysis of young roots indicates that the lowest level of ZRP2 mRNA is near the root tip, with relatively high levels throughout the remainder of the root. In situ hybridization reveals that ZRP2 mRNA accumulates predominantely in the cortical parenchyma cells of the root. In vitro nuclear run-on transcription experiments indicate a dramatically higher level of zrp2 gene transcription in 3-day old roots than in 5-day old leaves. A zrp2 genomic clone, which includes the transcribed region and 4.7 kb of upstream sequence, was isolated and characterized.

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Author notes

  1. Bruce M. Held

    Present address: Stine Biotechnology, ISU Research Park, Suite 611, Ames, IA, 50010, USA

  2. Isaac John

    Present address: Department of Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

  3. Huiquing Wang

    Present address: SUGEN, Redwood City, CA, 94305, USA

  4. T. Shamala Tirimanne

    Present address: Department of Botany, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Iowa State University, Bessey Hall, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Lathika Moragoda, Eve Syrkin Wurtele & James T. Colbert*

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  1. Bruce M. Held
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  2. Isaac John
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  4. Lathika Moragoda
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  6. Eve Syrkin Wurtele
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  7. James T. Colbert*
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Held, B.M., John, I., Wang, H. et al. zrp2: a novel maize gene whose mRNA accumulates in the root cortex and mature stems. Plant Mol Biol 35, 367–375 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005830313272

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