Mining secreted proteins that function in pepper fruit development and ripening using a yeast secretion trap (YST)

Area of Science:

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Plant Biochemistry
• Genomics

Background:

• Plant cells secrete proteins (secretomes) involved in various functions like defense, signaling, and development.
• Understanding secreted proteins is crucial for fruit development and ripening processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify genes encoding secreted proteins involved in pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruit development and ripening.
• To explore the utility of the yeast secretion trap (YST) as a functional genomics tool for secretome discovery.

Main Methods:

• Employed a yeast secretion trap (YST) screen using pepper fruit cDNAs.
• Validated protein secretion using transient GFP-fusion assays and an in planta secretion trap.
• Analyzed gene expression during fruit development and ripening via RNA gel blot.

Main Results:

• Identified 80 pepper fruit-related genes (CaPFRs) encoding secreted proteins, including novel cell wall proteins.
• Confirmed secretion of selected proteins, providing insights into their regulation.
• Demonstrated the YST screen's effectiveness in discovering novel secreted proteins.

Conclusions:

• The yeast secretion trap (YST) is a valuable functional genomics tool for identifying novel secreted plant proteins.
• The identified CaPFRs contribute to understanding biological processes, particularly fruit development and ripening.