Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding cytochrome c of Stellaria longipes (Caryophyllaceae)--and the evolutionary implications.

A cDNA clone encoding cytochrome c of Stellaria longipes was isolated and characterized. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences were highly similar to those from other plant, fungal, and animal species. No significant polymorphism was observed among different genotypes (ecotypes). The S. longipes genome contained a low copy number of nucleotide sequences of cytochrome c. The gene expression of cytochrome c exhibited a certain degree of tissue specificity, with more transcripts in leaf than in stem. A phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome c amino acid sequences revealed an unusual aspect of plant cytochrome c evolution.