ORGAN-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF THE NUCLEAR GENE ENCODING OEE2 OF PHOTOSYSTEM-II OXYGEN-EVOLVING COMPLEX IN NICOTIANA-TABACUM

The oee2 gene encodes one of the polypeptides of photosystem II oxygen -evolving complex in Nicotiana tabacum. We have determined the express ion of this gene, both at the protein and RNA level, in various tissue s of N. tabacum. The Western-blot results demonstrated that the OEE2 p rotein expresses at high levels in leaves and sepals; intermediate lev els in petals, stamens and pistils of the flowers; low level in the st ems; and not detectable in the roots. The organ-specific expression pa ttern was confirmed by Northern results, which suggested that the regu lation of oee2 gene expression may be at the transcriptional level in N. tabacum.