Abstract
Like CLV3 gene, some peptides function as a hormone and play important roles for growth and differentiation in plants. The genome-wide protein annotation data from Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa) has revealed that there are many predicted genes for secreted peptides, which may function as peptide hormones. Here, we have tried a genome-wide survey for plant peptide hormone genes by a bioinformatics approach. Using public databases we analyzed a total of 83508 protein sequences from rice, A.thaliana and Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Based on prediction of secreted protein by the SingalP software and distribution pattern of conserved motifs identified by the MEME software, we identified 197 candidate genes belonging to 22 families with a conserved motif. We are now investigating biological effects of such peptides in planta.
