The structure and organization of two cysteine endopeptidase genes from rice

REP-1 is a major cysteine endopeptidase that digests seed storage glutelin of rice. A cDNA clone (pRP60) for REP-1 and a cDNA clone (pRP80) for a rela ted enzyme were previously isolated. The expression of both mRNAs is regula ted by gibberellin. In this study, we revealed the structure and organizati on of Rep1 and RepA, genes corresponding to pRP60 and pRP80 mRNAs, respecti vely, Rep1 has no introns whereas RepA consists of five exons and four intr ons, and both genes exist as one copy gene in the rice genome. The gibberel lin-responsive elements conserved in cereal alpha-amylase genes are not inc luded in the 5'-upstream region of Rep1 or RepA. A molecular phylogenetic t ree of plant cysteine endopeptidases was constructed, and their relationshi p was discussed.