The first step of gibberellin biosynthesis in pumpkin is catalyzed by at least two copalyl diphosphate synthases encoded by differentially regulated genes.
The first step in gibberellin biosynthesis is catalyzed by copalyl diphosphate synthase (CPS) and ent-kaurene synthase. We have cloned from pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) two cDNAs, CmCPS1 and CmCPS2, that each encode a CPS. Both recombinant fusion CmCPS proteins were active in vitro. CPS are translocated into plastids and processed by cleavage of transit peptides. For CmCPS1 and CmCPS2, the putative transit peptides cannot exceed the first 99 and 107 amino acids, respectively, because longer N-terminal deletions abolished activity. Levels of both CmCPS transcripts were strictly regulated in an organ-specific and developmental manner. Both transcripts were almost undetectable in leaves and were abundant in petioles. CmCPS1 transcript levels were high in young cotyledons and low in roots. In contrast, CmCPS2 transcripts were undetectable in cotyledons but present at significant levels in roots. In hypocotyls, apices, and petioles, CmCPS1 transcript levels decreased with age much more rapidly than those of CmCPS2. We speculate that CmCPS1 expression is correlated with the early stages of organ development, whereas CmCPS2 expression is correlated with subsequent growth. In contrast, C. maxima ent-kaurene synthase transcripts were detected in every organ at almost constant levels. Thus, ent-kaurene biosynthesis may be regulated through control of CPS expression.
Smith
M W
MW
Plant Hormone Function Team, Frontier Research Program, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Hirosawa 2-1, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. smimasha@postman.riken.go.jp
Yamaguchi
S
S
Ait-Ali
T
T
Kamiya
Y
Y
D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005638:Fruit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005875:Gibberellins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D000906:Antibodies; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018744:DNA, Plant; D005875:Gibberellins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018749:RNA, Plant; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; C090963:ent-kaurene synthetase A; C105712:ent-kaurene synthetase B