Molecular characterization and expression of an isocitrate dehydrogenase from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L).

A putative isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) cDNA from alfalfa has been cloned and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence of 433 residues contains the isocitrate and isopropylmalate dehydrogenase signatures, is 63% identical to yeast mitochondrial NADP-IDH and shares high sequence identity with peptides of pig heart NADP-IDH. The sequence contains a potential N-terminal leader with similarities to a thylakoid transit peptide. IDH transcripts and NADP-IDH activity were detected in all alfalfa tissues examined, their levels depending upon the tissue type and its developmental stage. Transcripts and enzymatic activity were not induced on exposure of cell suspension cultures to a fungal elicitor. IDH is encoded by a small gene family in alfalfa.