Pistil-specific and ethylene-regulated expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase genes in petunia flowers

• Published in: The Plant cell Vol. 6; no. 9; pp. 1227 - 1239
• Main Authors: Tang, X, Gomes, A.M.T.R, Bhatia, A, Woodson, W.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society of Plant Physiologists 01-09-1994
• Subjects: ARN MENSAJERO; ARN MESSAGER; AVEJENTAMIENTO; Cellular senescence; COROLA; Corolla; COROLLE; ETHYLENE; Ethylene production; ETILENO; EXPRESION GENICA; EXPRESSION DES GENES; Flowering; GENE; Gene expression regulation; GENES; GENETICA; GENETIQUE; GINECEO; GYNECEE; Messenger RNA; Oxidases; OXIDORREDUCTASAS; OXYDOREDUCTASE; PETUNIA; Petunia hybrida; Plants; PRODUCCION DE ETILENO; PRODUCTION D'ETHYLENE; RNA; SENESCENCE
• ISSN: 1040-4651; 1532-298X
• DOI: 10.1105/tpc.6.9.1227

The differential expression of the petunia 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase gene family during flower development and senescence was investigated. ACC oxidase catalyzes the conversion of ACC to ethylene. The increase in ethylene production by petunia corollas during senescence was preceded by increased ACC oxidase mRNA and enzyme activity. Treatment of flowers with ethylene led to an increase in ethylene production, ACC oxidase mRNA, and ACC oxidase activity in corollas. in contrast, leaves did not exhibit increased ethylene production or ACC oxidase expression in response to ethylene. Gene-specific probes revealed that the AC01 gene was expressed specifically in senescing corollas and in other floral organs following exposure to ethylene. The AC03 and AC04 genes were specifically expressed in developing pistil tissue. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that ACC oxidase mRNAs were specifically localized to the secretory cells of the stigma and the connective tissue of the receptacle, including the nectaries. Treatment of flower buds with ethylene led to patterns of ACC oxidase gene expression spatially distinct from the patterns observed during development. The timing and tissue specificity of ACC oxidase expression during pistil development were paralleled by physiological processes associated with reproduction, including nectar secretion, accumulation of stigmatic exudate, and development of the self-incompatible response