Two cytosolic cyclophilin genes of Arabidopsis thaliana differently regulated in temporal- and organ-specific expression

We have previously isolated two closely related genes (ATCYP1 and ATCYP2) each encoding a cytosolic cyclophilin of Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we tested expression patterns of these two genes by Northern analysis and by histochemical analysis with transgenic plants carrying the promoter: beta-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion. The results showed that ATCYP1 is predominantly transcribed in vascular tissue and flowers, but ATCYP2 is at higher levels in younger leaves. The different expression patterns seemed to be conferred by the quite different promoter structures carrying various cis elements. Our finding suggests that the two cyclophilins have different roles in Arabidopsis thaliana cells.