Cloning and Sequencing of the Promoter Region of the Seed Specific β-amylase Gene from Barley

The 2.3 kb-DNA fragment containing the promoter region of the seed specific β-amylase gene was cloned from barley and sequenced. There were a TATA box and a CCAAT box-like sequence in the 5ʹupstream region of the β-amylase structural gene, but not an endosperm box-like sequence, which seems to be associated with the seed specific expression of the seed storage protein (prolamine) genes. In order to confirm the function of the cloned fragment as a promoter, the expression of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene connected to the downstream region of the cloned promoter was investigated. The results of the histochemical GUS assay showed that the cloned promoter was functional in the sub aleurone endosperm during the seed maturation of barley.