CLONING OF GENES SPECIFICALLY EXPRESSED IN RICE EMBRYOGENIC CELLS

We have examined differences in gene expression pattern between embryo genic callus (EC) and nonembryogenic callus (NEC) derived from mature seed embryo of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Donggin). Three EC-specific tr anscripts were identified by differential display of amplified cDNAs, Specific expression of two partial cDNAs, designated as REC1 and REC2, respectively, was confirmed by a northern blot analysis. Partial nucl eotide sequence of the clone REC1 showed no homology with any known ge nes, but partial amino acid sequence deduced from the clone REC2 exhib ited 55-82% homology with nickel-cobalt-resistant proteins identified from a bacterium, Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34.