Analysing structural diversity of seed storage protein gene promoters: Buckwheat a case study

Multiple sequence alignment of 5’UTR of SSP genes from accessions of Fagopyrum esculentumrevealed the invariant nature of sequences with the transcription start site at P761and TATA box located -30bp upstream the TSS. Other cis-elements identified in the sequences included the legumin box (-581, -524, -184, -135, -91), the -131 prolamin box, DOF element (-718, -649, -540,-432, -272,-225, -128) and CAAT box (-692, -530, -475, -411, -282, -168, -54). Other elements identified included those involved in abscisic acid signallingviz., ABI3 at P-470,-95,-68,RAV1 at P-694and -543and AGL15 at P-671. A comparative analysis of regulatory elements of SSP gene promoters of distantly related species the presence of five cis-regulatory elements viz. TATA BOX, E-BOX, RY- element, CAAT box and the Endosperm box, which interplay in seed specific SSP gene expression. Other modulators influencing seed specific gene expression detected in the sequences included the ABA-responsive elements ABI3, RAV1 and AGL15 which play an integral role in seed maturation. Identification of potential nucleosome binding sites in SSP gene promoters of Cicer arietinum, Brassica napus, B. campestris, Vicia faba, and Pisum sativumat positions 78, 635, 195, 112 and 152 respectively surmises the spatial fine tuning of SSP gene transcriptional regulation in these species. On the other hand, absence of nucleosome binding sites in the promoters of Fagopyrum esculentum, Zea mays, Avena sativa, Triticum aestivum and Oryza sativamay indicate relatively easier access of transcription factors to the proximal promoter, thereby providing higher level of gene expression.