Molecular Cloning of GAFP-1, an Antifungal Protein from Gastrodia elata

The cloning and sequencing of a full length cDNA of GAFP _1 ( Gastrodia antifungal protein), an antifungal protein from Gastrodia elata Bl. f. flavida S. Chow is reported. Degenerate primers were designed based on the N_terminal partial sequence from purified GAFP _1 to amplify the corresponding cDNA by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). A cDNA was obtained that contains an open reading frame for a peptide of 171 amino acids which matches the known peptide sequences. A 5′UTR (untranslated region) of 55 bp was found upstream from the translation initiation site. Two poly(A) adenylation sites were located downstream the stop codon. GAFP _1 cDNA and its deduced amino acid sequence share high homology with the mannose binding lectins from Epipactis helloborine , Listera ovata and snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis). The cDNA can now be used for testing the potential of GAFP _1 for engineering fungal resistance in crop plants.