Nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding four complete nuclear-encoded plastid ribosomal proteins.

The nucleotide sequences of four pea nuclear-encoded plastid ribosomal protein cDNAs have been determined. These cDNAs were shown to encode the complete precursor proteins. The transit sequences of the encoded proteins are similar to the transit sequences of other imported proteins being rich in serine and/or threonine and lacking aspartic and glutamic acid. The transit sequences do not, however, have any apparent amino acid sequence similarity with one another or with the transit sequences of other imported proteins. The derived amino acid sequences of the plastid ribosomal proteins were compared to the amino acid sequences of other ribosomal proteins. Significant amino acid sequence similarity was found between Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins L9 and L24 and two of the nuclear-encoded pea plastid ribosomal proteins.