Molecular cloning and characterization of an achene-seed-specific promoter from motherwort (Leonurus japonicus Houtt).

LJAMP1 is a small antimicrobial protein purified previously from the seeds of motherwort, and it is expressed preferentially in seeds. A 794-bp upstream sequence of the ATG start codon was isolated using a genome walking method and cloned into the upstream of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene to determine the GUS tissue-specific expression pattern. The transgenic tobacco showed that pLJAMP1 promoter derived GUS reporter gene special expression in pollen, achene and seed. The analysis of cis-acting elements also revealed pLJAMP1 promoter contained pollen and seed related transcriptional control elements.