Expression pattern of uricase II gene during root nodule development in Phaseolus vulgaris.

A Phaseolus vulgaris uricase II cDNA clone has been isolated and sequenced. Comparison on the nucleotide level between this clone and the soybean uricase II clone revealed 88.8% identity. The in situ hybridization technique was used to follow the expression pattern in developing root nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris. The uricase II transcripts were localized only in the uninfected cells of the central tissue and mainly in the periphery of the cell. Uricase II mRNA is first detected in nodules 12 days after infection. A maximum level of transcripts is reached in 21-day-old nodules, followed by a considerable reduction in 28-day-old nodules.