In silico analysis of the core promoters and other regulatory sequence motifs of the patatin genes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Patatin, a family of glycoproteins, constituting about 45% of the total soluble proteins found in tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is considered to be encoded by a large multigene family of two classes. To study the regulation of plant gene expression, Class I patatin gene promoters are meant as excellent molecular tools to study the regulation of transcription. DNA sequence characteristics such as the presence of cis-elements/regulatory motifs are known to be present in promoter/regulatory sequences. Therefore, in silico analysis of the promoters and other regulatory sequence motifs of the isoforms of patatin gene was done to search for novel putative elements based on sequence conservation by multiple sequence alignment and other additional characteristics such as presence of palindromic sequences. Presumably, results of such analysis can explain or predict the differential expression patterns of the patatin isoforms at holistic level in potato.