Cloning and expression of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic oxidase gene from Agrostis stolonifera

A gene encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic oxidase (ACO), which catalyzes the terminal step in ethylene biosynthesis, was isolated from Agrostis stolonifera. The AsACO gene is composed of 975 bp, encoding 324 amino acids. Three exons interspersed by two introns form AsACO gDNA. A BLAST search of the nucleotide sequence revealed a high level of similarity (79-91%) between AsACO and ACO genes of other plants. A phylogenetic tree was constructed via BLAST in the NCBI, and revealed the highest homology with wheat TaACO. The calculated molecular mass and predicted isoelectric point of AsACO were 36.25 and 4.89 kDa, respectively. Analysis of subcellular localization revealed that AsACO is located in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The Fe(II)-binding cofactors and cosubstrate were identified, pertaining to the ACO family. The expression patterns of AsACO were determined by quantitative real time PCR. AsACO expression was highest in the stem, and was strongly up-regulated in response to ethephon, methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, and cold temperature, but down-regulated in response to drought and NaCl treatment. The protein encoded by AsACO exhibited ACC oxidase activity in vitro. Taken together, these findings suggest that AsACO contains domains common to the ACO family, and is induced in response to exogenous hormones. Conversely, some abiotic stress conditions can inhibit AsACO expression.