Molecular cloning and tissue specific expression of an elongation factor 1A gene in sugarcane stalks

Genomic reconstruction done by using the cDNA insert containing the ORF of GZ-1-alpha as the probe indicated the presence of about 5 copies of eEF1A gene per haploid sugarcane genome. Northern hybridization studies revealed the presence of eEF1A transcripts in Saccharum officinarum stalks at late growth stage. A full-length cDNA clone (GZ-1-alpha) encoding elongation factor 1-alpha has been isolated from stalks of S. officinarum L. (accession number EF581011). The 1736 bp nucleotide sequence and the deduced 447 amino acid sequence shared 65–92 % and 95–99 % identity, respectively, to the other plant elongation factor 1As. The 400 mg/L ethephon treatment significantly induced the expression of GZ-1-alpha and maintained higher level in the top internodes for a long time, but did not induce the expression in the mid and bottom internodes. The results suggest that ethephon mediates the tissue and growth stage specific expressions of eEF1A gene isolated from S. officinarum stalks.