REGULATION OF PHOSPHOENOLPYRUVATE CARBOXYLASE GENE EXPRESSION AND PROTEIN CONTENT IN DEVELOPING AND GERMINATING GRAINS OF BRACHYPODIUM

Abstract

Gene expression and protein content levels of different Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase
(PEPCase) isoforms were investigated in developing and germinating Brachypodium distachyon
grains. Western blot experiments detected two main PEPCase polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 110 and 102 kD. According to the obtained data there was an increase in the amount
of 102 kD polypeptide of PEPCase beginning from the embryo formation till the wax ripeness stage
of grain filling and it began to decrease gradually at the final stages of grain filling. The higher intensity of the expression of the studied PEPCase genes at the final grain filling stages is probably
related to the intensifying biosynthesis of storage proteins and lipids.
Keywords: B.distachyon, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, gene expression, polypeptide
content, grain