Molecular cloning and expression analysis of CmMlo1 in melon

Mlo gene encodes an important transmembrane protein that is involved in biotic/abiotic stresses. Using the method of homologous, we cloned a Mlo gene from melon, named CmMlo1. The gene is 1551 bp in length, encoding 516 amino acids; it has seven-transmembrane domain topology and is a typical transmembrane protein. Localization analysis in onion epidermal cells showed that CmMlo1-GFP is localized to the plasma membrane. RT-PCR results indicated that CmMlo1 is mainly expressed in melon cotyledon and flower, with a tissue-specific distribution manner. CmMlo1 expression is not obvious under powdery mildew stress, but under cadmium stress, its expression was significantly up-regulated, indicating that CmMlo1 is possibly involved in abiotic stress.