Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (eIF6) is an evolutionary conserved protein among eukaryotes. This protein is involved in ribosome biogenesis and essential for cell growth and viability in yeast. We previously found that, although yeast and animals have a single copy of eIF6 gene, rice and Arabidopsis have two copies of eIF6-like genes (Os-eIF6;1 and Os-eIF6;2, and At-eIF6;1 and At-eIF6;2). The disruption of At-eIF6;1 caused embryonic lethal, while disruption of At-eIF6;2 did not. Ammonium nitrate induced expression of only Os-eIF6;2. Here, we show the expression pattern of At-eIF6;1 gene, using GUS gene that was fused to the downstream of a genomic DNA fragment covering the 5' flanking region and the entire coding region of At-eIF6;1 gene. In transgenic Arabidopsis harboring this fusion gene, GUS activity was observed in developing embryo, shoot apical meristems and stamens, where cell divisions are actively proceeding. To investigate the possibility that respective eIF6 proteins might play different roles, we are currently attempting to identify the proteins interacting with eIF6 proteins by LC/MS analysis with GST-eIF6 fusion proteins.
