Location and nucleotide sequence of the pre-apocytochrome f gene on the Oenothera hookeri plastid chromosome (Euoenothera plastome I)

The gene for pre-apocytochrome f has been mapped by blot hybridization on a 2.4 kbp HindIII fragment of the circular plastid chromosome of Oenothera hookeri employing probes from the corresponding spinach gene. The gene is located distal to the gene for the ATP synthase subunit alpha, at the border of the 45 kbp inversion that distinguishes spinach and Oenothera plastid chromosomes. Both genes are transcribed in the same direction. Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals a single open reading frame encoding 318 amino acids of which 285 comprise the mature polypeptide and another 33 residues represent probably a N-terminal signal sequence. The putative pre-sequence is 2 residues shorter than those known from the spinach, wheat and pea protein. The deduced amino acid sequences of f cytochromes from the four plant species show over 80% conservation, maintaining the structural characteristics of the protein.