Abstract

The full-length open reading frame of chalcone synthase (CHS) gene, designated asPcCHS, was obtained from Pueraria candollei var. mirifica using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was 1170 bp in length, encoded for 389 amino acid residues with the relative molecular mass of 42.6 kDa. The predicted isoelectric point of the gene product was 5.10. Southern blot analysis indicated that the P. candollei var. mirifica CHS gene belonged to a multigene family. The deduced amino acid sequence of thePcCHS-encoded protein showed a high degree of identity to those of the CHS fromPueraria montana, Glycine max, Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata, Medicago sativaand Pisum sativum. The expression of PcCHS gene was detected in all tissues (leaf, stem and root) examined, and its expression was induced by UV-B irradiation and wounding treatment.

Key words: Pueraria candollei var. mirifica, chalcone synthase, flavonoids biosynthesis, gene expression.