title: Molecular characterization of a GA-inducible gene, Cvsus1, in developing watermelon seeds.
abstract: To understand the molecular mechanisms that control seed development, we isolated a seed-preferential gene from ESTs of developing watermelon seeds. The gene Cvsus1 encodes a protein that is 86% identical to the Vicia faba sucrose synthase expressed in developing seeds. RNA blot analysis showed that Cvsus1 was preferentially expressed in watermelon seeds. We also investigated gene expression levels both in pollinated seeds and in parthenocarpic seeds, which lack zygotic tissues. Whereas the transcript level of Cvsus1 was rapidly increased during normal seed development, the expression was not significantly increased in the parthenocarpic seeds. However, treating the parthenocarpic fruits with GA3 strongly induced Cvsus1 expression, up to the level accumulated in pollinated seeds. These results suggest that Cvsus1 is induced in maternal tissues via signals from the zygotic tissues, and that GA may be one of those signals.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea.
authors.forename: Joonyul
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Hong-Gyu
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jinwon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gynheung
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D029773:Citrullus / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D005875:Gibberellins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010312:Parthenogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012639:Seeds / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005875:Gibberellins; C007842:gibberellic acid; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C022699:sucrose synthase