CBN-V Video Archives - S5-07
Towards the Identification of Cassava Storage Root Protein Genes

de Souza C.R.B., E.R.P. de Almeida, L.J.C.B. Carvalho and E.S. Gander

EMBRAPA-Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, CP 02372, CEP 70770-900 Sain Parque Rural, Brazilia, Brazil carvalho@cenargen.embrapa.br

        Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a species of major importance to feed mankind in countries of Latin America and Africa. The storage root (SR) represents the major source of food with high carbohydrate (85% DWt as starch) and low protein content (1-2% total protein). Recently, EMBRAPA-GRB has initiated a series of studies toward the identification of new genes in cassava that are SR specific and developmentally regulated by using a tissue compartmentalization model described in an accompanying paper. In this communication we report results of our studies in this system for proteins extracted with phosphate saline buffer and fractionated in alcohol. SDS-PAGE analysis, 2-DE analysis, protein sequencing and BLAST sequence analysis were performed. Results indicated that SDS-PAGE protein profiles are simple with proteins in the molecular weight range of 14 to 100 kDa in three layers of SR cell zones of the central cylinder. Three proteins were partially sequenced with one showing identity with an 18kDa protein of the small heat shock protein family. No sequence from NCBI databank matched with the two prolamin protein sequences obtained. Isolation and characterization of the genes of these unknown proteins are currently underway.

This research financed by National Biotechnology Program (EMBRAPA) and National Research Council (CNPq)

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