Cloning of PCR-Products Encoding Potassium Channel Proteins from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Gene fragments of potassium channels were cloned from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum by using RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). The two fragments were isolated independently and showed high similarity with each other. About 80% identity was found between the two fragments and potassium-channel genes of Arabidopsis. Southern hybridization indicated that the potassium channel gene may be a single copy gene or that a small gene family of potassium channels exists.