Cloning and functions of a zinc-finger gene promoter preferentially expressed in rice stems and leaves

A zinc-finger gene(tentatively named OsZF153),which was preferentially expressed in the rice stems and leaves,was identified by RT-PCR analysis.A fusion vector was constructed by combining approximately 2 kb upstream from the start codon of the gene OsZF153 with the reporter gene GUS.The GUS activity was detected in the T0 generation of transgenic rice plants.A strong GUS activity could be detected in the stems and leaves,while a weak one in the roots and hull,of the genetically modified rice.But no GUS activity was observed in stamen,pistil,embryo or endosperm of the transgenic rice.The results suggested that OsZF153 promoter was a vegetative organ promoter,which was preferentially active in stems and leaves of rice.