A genomic hsp70 gene was isolated from a rice IR36 genomic library and
4 794 bp of the gene have been sequenced. The 5' flanking region of t
he gene contained a putative TATA box and a typical heat shock element
sequence 5'-CTcgGAAccTTCgAG-3'. The amino acid sequence of the rice H
SP70 deduced from the coding region shared 84%-92% homologies with tho
se of HSP70s from other plant species. An intron 1 939 bp long was ide
ntified in the coding region at the codon specifying amino acid 72 (As
p), the similar position introns occurring in other intron-containing
hsp70 genes. In addition, another intron of 57 bp was found in the 3'-
untranslated region in the rice hsp70 gene. Southern blot hybridizatio
n showed that rice hsp70 gene family contained at least three members.
Analysis of the RNA levels with the gene-specific and non-specific pr
obes revealed that the rice hsp70 gene expressed at normal temperature
and the expression was enhanced by heat shock treatment.