MOLECULAR-CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A PLASTID CHAPERONIN 60 ALPHA-SUBUNIT FROM CANAVALIA-LINEATA

A 2040 bp cDNA encoding plastid chaperonin 60 alpha protein was isolat ed from a cDNA expression library prepared from Canavalia lineata leav es. The sequence analysis of the clone showed a significant homology t o those of other plant plastid chaperonin 60 alpha. The genomic DNA bl ot analysis indicated that Canavalia lineata chaperonin 60 alpha is en coded by a single gene in the genome. The short-term kinetics of light on the gene expression revealed that the remarkable accumulation of t he gene occurred after 24 h. The mRNA was also detectable in dark-grow n seedling leaves.