RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2) encoding the second largest protein subunit in Phaeosphaeria nodorum and P. avenaria

Authors

Arkadiusz Malkus, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute
Pi-Fang Linda Chang, National Chung Hsing University
Sabina M. Zuzga, Warsaw Agricultural University
Kuang-ren Chung, University of Florida
Jonathan Shao, Plant Science Institute
Barry M. Cunfer, University of Georgia
Edward Arseniuk, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute
Peter P. Ueng, Plant Science Institute

Date of this Version

2006

Comments

Published in Mycological Research 110 (2006) 1152 – 1164.

Abstract

A 5586 bp sequence (accession no. DQ278491), which includes the RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2) encoding the second largest protein subunit (RPB2), was obtained from the wheat biotype Phaeosphaeria nodorum (PN-w) by PCR amplification. The 3841 bp full length RPB2 gene contains two exons and a 52 bp intron, and encodes a complete 1262 amino acid protein. Similar to the C-terminals of the b subunits of prokaryotes and yeast RNA polymerases, the deduced RPB2 protein contained many structural features needed for gene transcription. Based on the phylogenetic analysis with the deduced RPB2 polypeptide sequences, the PN-w was closely related to the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Size differences were found in the full length RPB2 gene of cereal Phaeosphaeria species, mainly due to differences in intron size. No nucleotide substitutions were found in homothallic P. avenaria f.sp. triticea (Pat1) and barley biotype P. nodorum (PN-b) isolates used in this study. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the RPB2 gene in Pat1 were closely related to that in PN-w.