Mapping and sequencing of an actively transcribedEuglena gracilis chloroplast gene (ccsA) homologous to theArabidopsis thaliana nuclear genecs(ch‐42)

Abstract
We mapped and sequenced a novel chloroplast gene encoding a protein (348 amino acids) which shows a high sequence identity with both the decoded nuclearcs(ch‐42) gene product ofArabidopsis thaliana, and the C‐terminal half of the decoded ‘crtA’ gene product ofRhodobacter capsulatus. The chloroplast gene (ccsA) is split (two exons) and transcribed into a stable mRNA of about 1200 nucleotides. The putative protein may be involved in the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments.