CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ORF31-PETG GENE-CLUSTER FROM THE PLASTID GENOME OF POPULUS-DELTOIDES

The orf31-petG gene cluster is located approximately 1.2 kb away from the psbEFLJ operon in the chloroplast genome of Populus deltoides. The orf31 (ycf7) encodes an unidentified polypeptide while the petG gene encodes subunit V of an important component, cytochrome b(6)/f complex , involved in photosynthetic electron transport. We have determined th e nucleotide sequence of the orf31-petG gene cluster from the plastid genome of a tree, Populus deltoides. Our sequence analysis suggests th at these genes possess high homology with the published sequences of t hese ger?es from other plants. Northern analysis suggests development dependent transcription of the orf31-petG cluster in leaves.