Cloning of cDNA encoding the rice 22 kDa protein of Photosystem II (PSII-S) and analysis of light-induced expression of the gene

Cloning of rice cDNA encoding the chlorophyll-binding 22 kDa protein of Photosystem II (PSII-S) and the light-induced expression of the gene are reported. One of the light-responsive cDNA clones, isolated by screening with a light-specific subtracted cDNA probe, was shown to encode PSII-S of rice. Genomic Southern analysis suggested that the PSII-S gene, psbS, is a single-copy gene in rice. A brief exposure to red light induced a severalfold increase in the steady state level of PSII-S transcripts in etiolated seedlings. The red light effect was reversed by far-red light, suggesting involvement of phytochrome in the PSII-S gene regulation. Prolonged exposure (3 h) to blue light, however, revealed a much stronger effect than red light on the accumulation of PSII-S transcripts in the etiolated seedlings. In dark-adapted green plants, prolonged exposure to blue light induced re-accumulation of transcripts encoding PSII-S, whereas red light had little effect.