Cloning of the gene encoding cucumber lumazine synthase and an analysis of its promoter activity in cucumber
Promoters are an important regulatory element controlling the temporal and spatial expression of genes; thus, they play a critical role in genetic engineering by controlling target gene expression. Cucumber is a widely planted vegetable with a pleasant flavor and high economic value. However, most genetic engineering studies involving cucumber have utilized the CaMV 35S promoter, which mediates ubiquitous target gene expression. To identify a promoter that is highly expressed in cucumber fruit, total proteins from cucumber fruit were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One spot which is highly expressed in fruit was sequenced from its N-terminus using the Edman degradation method. A total of 10 amino acids (Ala-Val-Arg-His-Ile-Ala-Gly-Ser-Leu-Ala) were sequenced. Based on these 10 residues, a cDNA fragment 905 bp in length was cloned using 3′- and 5′-RACE. The corresponding gene, which encodes 220 amino acids, showed 65-73% similarity to other plant lumazine synthases without the signal peptide. We also cloned the 2.1-kb upstream promoter sequence of this Cucumis sativus lumazine synthase (CsLS) and analyzed its promoter activity by GUS histochemical and fluorometric assays. Our results indicate that CsLS is highly expressed in cucumber fruit, whereas it is expressed at low levels in cucumber stems and leaves.