IBT/06 Isolation, Cloning and Bioinformatic Analysis of the Partial Myb gene from Leuceana leucocephala

MYB genes are widely distributed in higher plants and comprise one of the largest transcription factors. R2R3-type MYB genes control many aspects of plant secondary metabolism, as well as regulators of lignin and phenylpropanoid metabolism during wood formation in angiosperm and gymnosperm plants. As part of a programmed aimed at characterizing ‘lignin specific’ MYB trans-activators, we have isolated and cloned a putative partial R2R3 MYB factor from the cDNA of RNA from Leucaena xylem tissue. We also report the Bioinformatic analysis and characterization of a new conserved DNA binding domain which might be involved in lignin regulation. Using cDNA as a template, amplification of a band of around 263 bp was achieved. Band was cloned in pGEM-T vector and sequenced. BLAST search was performed with the sequence. It showed 84–86% homology with the reported MYB cDNA sequences of Glycine max, Oryza sativa and Eucalyptus spps.