COMPUTER ANALYSIS REVEALS A SET OF ADDITIONAL PROMOTER ELEMENTS UPSTREAM OF MAIZE PLASTID GENES

70 /σ 54 /σ 32 promoters, regulatory elements, Zea mays, Escherichia coli Resume Motivation: Plastid genes of higher plants are transcribed by at least two plastid RNA polymerases: the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) and the nuclear-encoded plastid RNA polymerase (NEP). At least, some of plastid genes seems are transcribed from both PEP and NEP promoters. It may be indication of existence of various, alternative PEP and/or NEP promoters for other plastid genes. Moreover, most of the known PEP core promoters are reminiscent of σ 70 -type eubacterial promoters. But it is also known that there are other different σ 54 - and σ 32 -type eubacterial promoters. In this regard one may also be argue the existence of σ 54 - and σ 32 -type promoters some of plastid genes. Besides, it is quite possible that there are some other regulatory elements resembling those for nuclear genes or exclusively related to plastid genes. Therefore we decided to search for both additional PEP/NEP promoters and σ 54 /σ 32 -type eubacterial promoters, as well as other transcription regulatory elements upstream of plastid genes of Zea mays. Results: The analysis revealed a set of additional putative PEP (σ 70 -, σ 54 -and σ 32 -type) and NEP promoters upstream most of plastid genes of maize. Interestingly, some plastid genes contain several PEP promoters of various types (σ 70 , σ 54 , σ 32 ). Moreover, other motifs resembling plant nuclear and plastid transcription regulatory elements upstream most of maize plastid genes were found. Motifs of high homology in promoter regions of plastid and Escherichia coli genes were also revealed. Data obtained suggest that promoter architecture of plastid genes is more complex and includes various canonic promoters and other regulatory elements.