From a cDNA library of developing siliques of rapeseed (Brassica napus
L.) we have isolated five full-length clones encoding polypeptides of
the AMP-binding protein family. Two cDNAs encode fatty acyl-CoA synth
etase activity (EC 6.2.1.3). The deduced polypeptides share about 52%
identical amino acids. After expression in Escherichia coli the predic
ted enzymatic activity was confirmed by in vitro assays and product an
alysis. The enzymatic activity for one of the clones was characterized
in detail by determination of the K-m for oleic acid (10.4 mu m) and
the pH optimum (between 7 and 8). For the three additional clones no e
nzymatic activities could be demonstrated after expression in E. coli,
although two of them exhibit similarity to either eukaryotic or proka
ryotic acyl-CoA synthetases. The sequences are compared to a number of
related expressed sequence tags from Brassica and Arabidopsis. Potent
ial subcellular locations and functions of the deduced polypeptides wi
thin plant cells are discussed.