We have isolated and characterized cDNA clones encoding the entire precursor for the leafspecific isoform of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) from the dicotyledonous C4 plant Flaveria trinervia. The deduced amino acid sequence reveals a high degree of similarity to the corresponding maize protein indicating a common evolutionary basis. However, no significant similarities are apparent upon comparison of the putative transit peptides. The implications of this divergence are discussed with respect to the evolution of PPDK genes.
