RESUMEN
Two distinct cDNA clones showing sequence homology to higher-plant pectate lyase (Pel) genes were isolated from ripening banana fruits. The transcripts were detected only in fruit tissue and both were strongly ripening-related. Yeast transformation with the most highly expressed Pel clone produced a recombinant protein with pectate lyase activity, demonstrating that this sequence was likely to encode a pectate lyase protein in planta. An assay developed for measuring the action of the endogenous enzyme from banana pulp tissue revealed a significant increase in calcium-dependent pectate lyase activity during ripening. The enhanced levels of enzyme activity corresponded with an increase in soluble polyuronides from banana pulp.
Asunto(s)
Musa/genética , Polisacárido Liasas/genética , Northern Blotting , Pared Celular/química , ADN Complementario/química , ADN Complementario/genética , Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica , Regulación Enzimológica de la Expresión Génica , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Musa/enzimología , Musa/crecimiento & desarrollo , Filogenia , Polisacárido Liasas/metabolismo , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Solubilidad , Ácidos Urónicos/aislamiento & purificación , Ácidos Urónicos/metabolismoRESUMEN
Cnr (colorless non-ripening) is a pleiotropic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit ripening mutant with altered tissue properties including weaker cell-to-cell contacts in the pericarp (A.J. Thompson, M. Tor, C.S. Barry, J. Vrebalov, C. Orfila, M.C. Jarvis, J.J. Giovannoni, D. Grierson, G.B. Seymour [1999] Plant Physiol 120: 383-390). Whereas the genetic basis of the Cnr mutation is being identified by molecular analyses, here we report the identification of cell biological factors underlying the Cnr texture phenotype. In comparison with wild type, ripe-stage Cnr fruits have stronger, non-swollen cell walls (CW) throughout the pericarp and extensive intercellular space in the inner pericarp. Using electron energy loss spectroscopy imaging of calcium-binding capacity and anti-homogalacturonan (HG) antibody probes (PAM1 and JIM5) we demonstrate that maturation processes involving middle lamella HG are altered in Cnr fruit, resulting in the absence or a low level of HG-/calcium-based cell adhesion. We also demonstrate that the deposition of (1-->5)-alpha-L-arabinan is disrupted in Cnr pericarp CW and that this disruption occurs prior to fruit ripening. The relationship between the disruption of (1-->5)-alpha-L-arabinan deposition in pericarp CW and the Cnr phenotype is discussed.