Molecular characterization and expression pattern of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) apoplastic invertase gene

Abstract

The complete mRNA sequence of one tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) gene- apoplastic invertase, was amplified using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods based on some tobacco ESTs. The full-length tobacco apoplastic invertase gene mRNA was 1,985bp containing an 1,740 bp open reading frame, which encodes a protein of 579 amino acids. Sequence analysis revealed that the apoplastic invertase of tobacco shares high homology with the apoplastic invertase of potato (82%), Lycopersicon esculentum (81%) and Lycopersicon pennellii (78%). Results also showed that tobacco apoplastic invertase gene has a closer genetic relationship with the apoplastic invertase gene of Lycopersicon esculentum. The prediction of transmembrane helices showed that tobacco apoplastic invertase might be a transmembrane protein. The expression profile was studied and the results indicated that tobacco apoplastic invertase gene was differentially expressed in detected tobacco tissues including leaf, stem, root and flower. Our experiment established the foundation for further research on this tobacco gene.