Cloning and characterization of full-length cDNA clones encoding chalcone synthase from the orchid Bromheadia finlaysoniana

Abstract

cDNA clones encoding chalcone synthase (CHS) (EC 2.3.1.74), a key enzyme involved in flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis were isolated from a cDNA library constructed from flowers of the orchid, Bromheadia finlaysoniana (Lindl.) Rchb.f using a homologous probe generated via PCR. The complete nucleotide sequences of the 3 clones, OCHS3, OCHS4 and OCHS8 were determined. The lengths of OCHS3, OCHS4 and OCHS8 are 1 445, 1 382 and 1 439 bp, respectively. All the cDNAs contained a single open reading frame of 1 185 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 394 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 42.9 kDa. The nucleotide sequences of OCHS3, OCHS4 and OCHS8 showed that they were not identical but..