Orthologues of a plant-specific At-4/1 gene in the genus Nicotiana and the structural properties of bacterially expressed 4/1 protein

► Organization of 4/1 locus is similar in Nicotiana species and other plants. ► SINE-like elements in Nicotiana 4/1 genes point to distinct lines in genus evolution. ► N. tabacum 4/1 protein consists of three alpha-helical structural domains.