Differential expression of six light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein genes in maize leaf cell types.

Bundle sheath chloroplasts of maize leaves contain about one-fourth as much light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein of photosystem II (LHCP-II) as do mesophyll chloroplasts. We have determined that this difference is, in part, the result of differential expression of different LHCP-II genes. We have prepared and partially characterized cDNA clones specific for six LHCP-II genes of maize. Transcripts of these six LHCP-II genes are present at vastly different levels and account for about 95% of total LHCP-II mRNAs in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells of illuminated dark-grown maize leaves. Three genes are preferentially expressed in mesophyll cells, and their mRNAs constitute about 54% of the total LHCP-II transcripts in greening (24 hr) maize leaves. Two genes are expressed equally in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells. Most interestingly, the RNA of one gene that contributes about 8% of the total LHCP-II transcripts in leaves greening for 24 hr is present at a much higher level in bundle sheath than in mesophyll cells. Moreover, immunoblot analysis of maize thylakoids reveals at least five sizes of LHCP-II; these also differ from one another in their relative abundance in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells of developing maize leaves.