LEGHEMOGLOBINS FROM AN EVOLUTIONARILY OLD LEGUME, LUPINUS-LUTEUS

The cDNA clones of two lupin leghemoglobin genes were isolated. Their expression during the development of the nodule (infection) was invest igated by RNA Northern analysis. Both genes show a similar pattern of expression. Southern analysis of lupin genomic DNA revealed that each leghemoglobin gene is probably represented by a single copy in the lup in genome. Deduced amino acid sequences of lupin leghemoglobins and ot her legume and nonlegume hemoglobins were analyzed using computer prog rams, which resulted in the construction of a plant hemoglobin dendrog ram. Evolutionary aspects are discussed.