Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2009, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (3): 357-361.

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Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of an Actin Gene from Chinese Licorice(Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch)

WANG Fang, DONG Le* and YUAN Jian-jun   

  1. Department of Biology, School of Chemical and Biology Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, P. R. China
  • Received:2007-10-16 Revised:2007-12-17 Online:2009-05-25 Published:2009-08-07
  • Contact: DONG Le, E-mail: dwf320@163.com
  • About author:DONG Le, E-mail: dwf320@163.com
  • Supported by:

    Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China(No.200804011), the Special Foundation for Young Scientists of Fujian Province, China(No.2006F3113), Scientific Research Foundation of Educational Committee of Fujian  Province, China(No.JA07151) and Technology Research and Development Program of Quanzhou’ Science and Technology  Bureau, China(No.2007N6).

Abstract:

A PCR-based homologous cloning strategy was used to identify an actin gene from the roots of Chinese licorice(Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch). Results of sequence analysis indicate that a 1137 bp cDNA with an open reading frame encoding 377 amino acids, actin ortholog, GuActin, was successfully cloned and characterized(GenBank accession No. EU190972). Thus far, GuActin is the first actin of Chinese licorice that has been identified at a molecular level. Analysis by Northern blot shows that GuActin was expressed strongly in the roots, particularly in radicles than in stems and leaves. These results suggest that GuActin may be a member of the vegetative subfamily of the actin family.

Key words: Actin; Gene cloning; Chinese licorice(Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch); Gene expression