Asian Journal of Plant Sciences1682-39741812-5697Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/ajps.2003.869.872BhowmikPankaj Kumar MatsuiToshiyuki SuzukiHaruo KosugiYusuke 122003212The plant actin cytoskeleton is central to many different sub-cellular processes. Higher plants contain families of actin-encoding genes which are divergent and differentially expressed. Progress in understanding the functions and evolution of plant actins has been hindered by the large size of actin gene families. A cDNA sequence encoding asparagus actin gene was PCR-amplified, cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the actin along with those previously published in the database, indicates that monocots actin genes are monophyletic and underwent duplications during evolution.]]>Bernatzky, R. and S.D. Tanksley, 198672314321Moniz de Sa, M. and G. Drouin,19961311981212Hightower, R.C. and R.B. Meagher,1986114315332Li, W.H. and D. Graur,1991Staehelin, L.A. and P.K. Hepler, 199684821824Staiger, C.J. and C.W. Lloyd, 199133342Wan, C.Y. and T.A. Wilkins,1994Gossypium hirsutum L.).]]>223712