Authors : Wang Binwu, Gao Yulong, Song Zhongbang and Li Wenzheng
Abstract: Cadmium (Cd) of tobacco is a pollutant that is extremely toxic to the health of humans. Cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 gene has been characterized to function in the plant cadmium/zinc-transporting. The complete coding sequence of tobacco cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 gene was amplified by RT-PCR. The open reading frame of tobacco cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 gene was 2418 bp which encodes a protein of 805 amino acids. BLAST analysis revealed that tobacco cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 protein shares high homology with the cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 of potato (85%), Lycopersicon esculentum (84%), wine grape (71%), sweet orange (71%), soybean (69%) and thale cress (68%). Results also showed that tobacco cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 gene has a closer genetic relationship with the cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 gene of Lycopersicon esculentum. Prediction of transmembrane helices showed that tobacco cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 might be a transmembrane protein. The expression profile was studied and results indicated that tobacco cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 gene was moderately expressed in root, leaf and stem but hardly expressed in flower. These results established the primary foundation of utilizing tobacco cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase HMA1 gene to descrease the cadmium content of tobacco and benefit the health of humans in the future.
Wang Binwu, Gao Yulong, Song Zhongbang and Li Wenzheng, 2014. Molecular Characterization and Expression Pattern of a Novel Cadmium/Zinc-Transporting ATPase HMA1 Gene. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 13: 159-164.