Cloning, characterization and overexpression of a 14-3-3 ω protein from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

Plant 14‐3‐3 proteins are involved in signal transduction pathways of nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism. An Eg14‐3‐3 ω gene was isolated from the mesocarp of oil palm. The 1055‐bp cDNA had an open reading frame of 774 bp that encoded for 258 amino acids, and the cDNA had 113‐bp and 195‐bp 5′‐ and 3′‐untranslated regions, respectively. The calculated molecular weight was 28.06 kDa, with a pI of 5.04. The palm 14‐3‐3 showed closest identity to 14‐3‐3 proteins of the omega group. The entire sequence of Eg14‐3‐3 ω showed 83% identity with 14‐3‐3 protein isoform 16R from Solanum tuberosum. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Eg14‐3‐3 isoform was within the omega (ω) subgroup and, thus, was designated Eg14‐3‐3 ω. The Eg14‐3‐3 ω expression patterns were strong in the mesocarp as compared to the root. When Eg14‐3‐3 ω cDNA was overexpressed in transgenic calli, there was higher accumulation of oil in the transgenic calli than in the controls. Therefore, Eg14‐3‐3 ω has potential for applications in the breeding of oil palms in the future.