Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the pathogenesis-related gene VaPR2 in azuki bean (Vigna angularis).

A cDNA sequence including the complete open reading frame was isolated from leaves of flowering azuki bean variety No. 56. The nucleotide sequence was submitted to the NCBI Genbank database. The gene was related to pathogenesis (protein gene resistance to disease) and named VaPR2. VaPR2 was very similar to PvPR2, PvPR1, and CpPR3, with identity ranging from 88.4% to 91.1%. The gene was highly induced after challenging with the soybean mosaic virus and the anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Results from RT-PCR analysis showed that the VaPR2 gene is expressed strongly in stem, leaves, flowers, and pods, but weakly in roots.