Abstract: Cis-trans interactions between 5′ -flanking region of a HMW glutenin gene and nuclear factors from immature wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds, were studied by using gel retardation assay. Four DNA fragments, totally 900 bp in length, were prepared as probes from a plasmid containing the 5'-flanking region of the HMW glutenin gene by using polymerase chain reaction technique. Gel retardation assays showed that the different nuclear protein factors were able to bind the four DNA fragments specifically. The results indicated that the transcription of the HMW glutenin gene is regulated by multiple cis-trans interactions in a complicated fashion.

Key words: High-molecular-weight glutenin gene, Transcriptional regulation, Cistrans interaction, Gel retardation assay, Wheat