Abstract: Using RT-PCR assay,bioinformatics prediction and expression of promoter-GUS fusion,the expression patterns of OsZF77 gene,a rice CCCH-type zinc finger gene,was studied.The OsZF77 ORF comprises 843 bp,and the predicted protein contains 280 amino acids with two CCCH domains.The RT-PCR analysis showed that OsZF77 gene was preferentially transcribed in rice endosperm and was not expressed in rice embryo and other vegetative organs.In a further analysis on the cis-elements of OsZF77 promoter region,a sequence component RY(CATGCATG),which was necessary for seed-specific expression,was found.In addition,the approximate 2.5 kb promoter region of OsZF77 gene was fused into GUS reporter gene and transformed into rice.The histochemical analysis revealed that GUS expression could not be detected in the transformed rice embryo,but clearly observed in the endosperm.These results indicated that OsZF77 gene might be an endosperm-preferential expressed gene.

Key words: rice, zinc finger protein, OsZF77, seed, preferential expression