Analysis of a novel Myb-like gene from soybean

Abstract

This thesis reports the identification and characterization of a novel gene, named 7/2, from soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill). Genomic clones of 7/2 from two different cultivars, cvs Maple Arrow and Resnik were isolated and sequenced, and the sequences were compared to each other. These sequences were 100% identical. Alignment with a cDNA sequence from cv. Maple Arrow revealed the structure of the gene as having 6 exons and 5 introns. The full length cDNA contains an ORF of 798 by encoding a novel protein of 265 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 29.98 kDa. The conceptual 7/2 protein is similar in structure to Myb-like transcription factors in that it has an N-terminal DNA binding domain of 52 amino acid and a potential acidic activation domain. Unlike most known plant Myb transcription factors it has one, not two, N-terminal DNA binding repeats. As determined by RT-PCR, the7/2 message is expressed in most soybean tissues but is most highly expressed in nodules. These characteristics suggest that 7/2 may represent a novel soybean regulatory protein.