Abstract
In order to elucidate the function of Cryptochrome (CRY) genes in rice, we screened a cDNA library from rice seedlings with an EST probe homologous to Arabidopsis CRY1 (AtCRY1) gene. Isolated clones were categorized into two classes according to their 5' and 3' end sequences. The deduced amino acid sequences of these clones (OsCRY1a and OsCRY1b) are highly homologous each other and are more similar to AtCRY1 than to AtCRY2. We searched rice genome sequences for an AtCRY2 homologue and found one sequence that showed homology to AtCRY2. We obtained the cDNA (OsCRY2) corresponding to that sequence by RT-PCR. Comparison of amino acid sequences between OsCRY1s and OsCRY2 shows the moderate homology (59%) in the N-half but no homology (16-17%) in the C-half. OsCRY1s were mainly expressed at green tissues, while OsCRY2 was strongly expressed in etiolated seedlings and substantial expression was also detected in the flower and callus
