Cloning and Characterization of the psbEF Gene Encoding Cytochrome b-559 of the Panax ginseng Photosystem II Reaction Center

From the Panax ginseng chloroplast, the psbE and psbF genes, encoding the $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits of cytochrome b-559 of the photosystem II reaction center, respectively, were cloned and characterized. The psbE and psbF genes were composed of 252 and 117 nucleotides, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the $\alpha$-subunits showed 95%, 93%, and 91% homology to monocots, dicots, and liverwort, respectively, whereas the $\beta$-subunits showed approximately 98% to 95% homology to the same species. Southern blot analysis revealed that a single copy of the psbEF gene exists in the chloroplast plastid. Northern blot analysis indicated that the psbE and psbF genes are cotranscribed as a polycistron.