Isolation and detection of putative isoforms of the B- Ketoacyl-Acyl carrier protein synthase III (Kas III) gene in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.).

Date

10-2003

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Rita P. Laude

Co-adviser

Marni E. Cueno

Abstract

To improve the coconut industry in the Philippines, molecular studies are being done to modify the fatty acid content of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), a major agricultural crop The presence of putative isoforms of the gene coding for the initial condensing enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis, f3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (KAS III) was determined in 4-, 5- and 6-month old (m.o.) coconut. Products of 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3' RACE) were amplified by two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods: cold-start and combined hot-start and touchdown. No distinguishable bands were produced from any of the templates after cold-start PCR due to the long GC rich nature of the KAS III gene sequence which may have formed secondary structures. To denature the secondary structures assumed by the KAS III gene, combined hot-start and touchdown PCR method was employed. This method generated two electrophoretic bands each at 425 by and 725 by for cDNAs from both 5- and 6-m o. coconut endospernis. Absence of bands for the 4-m.o coconut suggests that the KAS III gene is not yet expressed at this age. The two bands for the 5- and 6-m.o. coconut endosperms indicate that the gene is actively being transcribed as two putative isoforms with different lengths for oil production and accumulation at these stages. The two putative KAS III gene isoforms may encode proteins that vary in regulatory function or developmental expression.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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