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Expression of ethylene biosynthetic pathway transcripts in senescing carnation flowers
W R Woodson1, K Y Park, A Drory
1Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.
Plant Physiology
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Ethylene biosynthesis in carnation flowers involves specific gene expression changes during petal senescence. ACC synthase and EFE mRNA levels rise, while S-adenosylmethionine synthetase mRNA decreases, influencing ethylene production.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ethylene biosynthesis is a key regulator of floral senescence.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling ethylene production is crucial for managing flower longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of key ethylene biosynthesis genes (S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, ACC synthase, EFE) in carnation floral organs during senescence.
- To elucidate the relationship between gene expression, enzyme activity, and ethylene production in different floral tissues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mRNA abundance for S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, ACC synthase, and EFE in carnation floral organs using techniques like Northern blotting (implied by transcript detection).
- Treatment with ethylene action inhibitors (2,5-norbornadiene) and exogenous ethylene to assess gene regulation.
- Measurement of ACC synthase and EFE enzyme activities in various floral tissues.
Main Results:
- ACC synthase and EFE mRNA levels increased, while S-adenosylmethionine synthetase mRNA decreased during petal senescence, correlating with ethylene production.
- Ethylene action inhibition prevented the rise in ACC synthase and EFE mRNAs. Exogenous ethylene induced these transcripts in presenescent petals.
- While EFE activity correlated with EFE mRNA, ACC synthase mRNA levels did not consistently reflect enzyme activity, particularly in the pistil and pollinated styles, suggesting alternative ACC synthase transcripts.
Conclusions:
- Ethylene biosynthesis during carnation senescence is regulated at the transcriptional level for ACC synthase and EFE.
- The ethylene-responsive gene represented by pCARACC3 is not the sole determinant of ACC synthase activity, especially in response to pollination.
- Distinct ACC synthase transcripts likely mediate early ethylene production increases in response to pollination versus senescence.
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