Isolation and characterization of 15 genes encoding ribosomal proteins in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Ribosomal proteins (RPs) are major components of ribosomes, and are regulated both developmentally and environmentally in plants. In this study, by using in silico cloning approach 15 putative wheat ribosomal protein (TaRP) genes with complete open reading frame (ORF) were identified. The amino acid sequence analysis indicated that several structural amino acid motifs with high similarity to that of mammalian RPs, such as basic and acid residues, zinc finger motif and nuclear localization signals, existed in these putative wheat RP genes. Genomic sequences in coding region of six TaRP genes were obtained, and 1–4 introns were identified in different TaRP genes, the intron patterns were also determined and compared to that of corresponding genes from rice and Arabidopsis. In silico expression analysis of the 14 putative wheat RP genes indicated that they were abundantly expressed in various tissues, and transcript amounts for most of ribosomal protein genes were highest in rapidly growing tissues, such as crown. The expression patterns of 11 TaRP genes were significantly correlated (r = 0.87, P < 0.05), suggesting that they were regulated by coordinate gene expression. Seven putative wheat RP genes were mapped in 21 chromosome bins on 11 chromosomes by in silico mapping. Moreover, it was interesting to note that TaRP genes were differentially expressed between hybrid F1 and parents in root and leaf.