Molecular characterization and expression of DgZFP1, a gene encoding a single zinc finger protein in chrysanthemum

Abstract

A single zinc finger protein gene was isolated from chrysanthemum by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approach and was designated as DgZFP1. The DgZFP1 encodes a protein of 168 amino acids residues with a calculated molecular mass of 18.1 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point is 4.71. DgZFP1 contains one single zinc finger motif and one ethylene-responsive element-binding factor (ERF)-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) domain. The transcripts of DgZFP1 was enriched in nodes and ray petal than in disc petal, disc stamen, disc pistil and ray pistil, but not detected in other tissues. Subcellular localization revealed that DgZFP1 was preferentially distributed to nucleus. We argued that DgZFP1 is a new member of the single zinc finger protein genes and it may be the ortholog of LIF.