Valérie Pujade-RenaudChristine SanierLaurence CambillauArokiaraj PappusamyHeddwyn JonesNatsuang RuengsriDidier TharreauHervé ChrestinPascal MontoroJarunya NarangajavanaCIRAD Centre de Recherche de MontpellierBiotechnology and Strategic Research UnitMahidol UniversityIRD Centre de MontpellierUniversity of Hertfordshire2018-06-212018-06-212005-03-10Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Gene Structure and Expression. Vol.1727, No.3 (2005), 151-161016747812-s2.0-20044382215https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/16368The cloning of hevein genes from Hevea brasiliensis was undertaken with the objective to isolate useful promoters to drive transgene expression in genetically engineered rubber tree. Four different full length genes were cloned by library screening and a fifth, a partial gene, by adaptor-anchored PCR. Sequence alignment revealed that hevein genes, although highly conserved in their transcribed region, diverged in two groups, with major differences in their promoter region, suggesting a more rapid evolution of the upstream regulatory functions of the genes than the downstream functions of their protein products. The promoter regions from two hevein genes representative of each group were isolated and analyzed in rice. Although both were functional, only the longest promoter sequence (PHev2.1) conferred a high level of expression to the transgene in various tissues of this heterologous host. It was in addition up-regulated by mechanical wounding and fungal infection in leaves. A number of potential cis-regulatory elements were identified in silico and are discussed in view of the expression profiles observed in rice. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Mahidol UniversityBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular BiologyArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.bbaexp.2004.12.013