Description:
<jats:p>The tomato mutant <jats:italic>chloronerva</jats:italic> exhibits a defect in iron‐uptake regulation. Despite high apoplastic and symplastic iron concentrations, the mutant shows characteristic symptoms of iron deficiency. Using a subtractive‐hybridisation approach, we have screened for cDNA clones specific for genes with altered expression in wild‐type versus mutant root tissue. Based on this clone collection, we have isolated and characterised a 2075‐bp full‐length cDNA encoding a lysyl‐tRNA‐synthetase‐like protein. The corresponding gene is localised as a single copy on chromosome 10. Its expression is strongly induced by changes in the iron status of the plant. This iron‐dependent regulation is superimposed upon a strict root specificity of gene expression. Possible functions of the gene product other than in protein biosynthesis will be discussed.</jats:p>