Abstract Abstract: A cDNA encoding lipid transfer protein (Siltp ) was isolated from Stetaria italica cDNA library. According to the results of Blastn and Blastp in GenBank, it shares 72%,70%,60%,54% nucleotide sequence identity and 79%,73%，65%,57% amino acid sequence identity with Hordeum vulgare lipid transfer protein gene LTP7a2b and LTPcw-19, Zea mays ltp and Brassica napus ltp separately. It was sequenced and characterized. Siltp contains an open reading frame of 363 bp, 121 amino acid. The first 26 amino acid is supposed to be a signal sequence. The mature protein has a molecular mass of 9.3 kD. Southern blotting analysis indicated that Siltp is one copy in the genome. Siltp expresses in stem, leaves and grains. Using software PAUP to analyze evolution of LTP from 17 different plants, phylogenetic tree allows the conclusion that LTP has four groups. Differentiation happened earlier in wheat，while in the other monocots such as maize， millet，barley and rice happened later. It shows the early gene replicate matters. Dicotyls scatter in phylogenetic tree which illuminates the evolution of LTP gene is complex. It shows LTP gene of corns evolved and divided from one ancestral LTP gene. Siltp has most identity with barley LTP in the phylogenetic tree.
Feng Xiaoyan Yu Jingjuan Zhao Qian Ao Guangming**. Cloning and Characterization of a Stetaria italica Lipid Transfer Protein cDNA [J]. , 2003, 11(1): 11-15.
