Abstract
In search of new genes essential for C4 photosynthesis, we have isolated several C4 plant-abundantly expressed genes by transcriptome analysis between Flaveria trinervia (C4) and F. pringlei (C3). Among them we found out a novel gene, encoding a CP12 domain-containing protein, of which expression is specific in C4 species. Its predicted amino acid sequence was clearly distinct from other CP12 molecules. Therefore we named this gene as FtCP12L. Using specific antibody for FtCP12L, its C4-plant specificity was also confirmed. Comparative expression analyses betweenFtCP12 and FtCP12L revealed that FtCP12L was expressed in both mesophyll cells and bundle sheath cells and its pattern was different from that of FtCP12, suggesting its function being not involved in the Calvin cycle. Now we are trying to detect and to identify the complexes containing FtCP12L for elucidation of its physiological function in C4 plants.
