The entire gene organization of rice chloroplast DNA --- 2001 update

Abstract

The entire nucleotide sequence of the chloroplast genome (134,525 bp) from rice, Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare, was determined and published in 1989 (1). Predicated genes were identified along with sequences conserved between rice and tobacco. Genes for 4 rRNAs, 30 tRNAs and 58 proteins (the total number of 92 genes) were described. Since then, 18 new genes have been identified through similarity with the tobacco counterparts. These include matK, lhbA, petN, psbM, ycf3, ndhJ, psaI, ycf4, ycf10, psbJ, petL, petG, psaJ, clpP, psbT, psbN, ccsA and ndhI (the order from nucleotide position 1). The former psbG gene was renamed to ndhK. The accD is present as a pseudogene (ORF106), and sprA found in tobacco is not present in rice. Detailed comparison was made among the three completely sequenced chloroplast DNAs (from rice, maize and wheat).