title: Spatial and temporal distribution of genes involved in polyamine metabolism during tomato fruit development.
abstract: Polyamines are organic compounds involved in various biological roles in plants, including cell growth and organ development. In the present study, the expression profile, the accumulation of free polyamines and the transcript localisation of the genes involved in Put metabolism, such as Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), Arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and copper containing Amine oxidase (CuAO), were examined during Solanum lycopersicum cv. Chiou fruit development and maturation. Moreover, the expression of genes coding for enzymes involved in higher polyamine metabolism, including Spermidine synthase (SPDS), Spermine synthase (SPMS), S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) and Polyamine oxidase (PAO), were studied. Most genes participating in PAs biosynthesis and metabolism exhibited an increased accumulation of transcripts at the early stages of fruit development. In contrast, CuAO and SPMS were mostly expressed later, during the development stages of the fruits where a massive increase in fruit volume occurs, while the SPDS1 gene exhibited a rather constant expression with a peak at the red ripe stage. Although Put, Spd and Spm were all exhibited decreasing levels in developing immature fruits, Put levels maxed late during fruit ripening. In contrast to Put both Spd and Spm levels continue to decrease gradually until full ripening. It is worth noticing that in situ RNA-RNA hybridisation is reported for the first time in tomato fruits. The localisation of ADC2, ODC1 and CuAO gene transcripts at tissues such as the locular parenchyma and the vascular bundles fruits, supports the theory that all genes involved in Put biosynthesis and catabolism are mostly expressed in fast growing tissues. The relatively high expression levels of CuAO at the ImG4 stage of fruit development (fruits with a diameter of 3 cm), mature green and breaker stages could possibly be attributed to the implication of polyamines in physiological processes taking place during fruit ripening.
authors.affiliation: Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Natural Resources Development and Agricultural Engineering, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Votanikos, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: giorgos.tsaniklidis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsaniklidis
authors.affiliation: Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese, School of Agricultural Technology and Food Technology and Nutrition, Department of Agricultural Technology, 24100 Antikalamos, Kalamata, Greece. Electronic address: akotsiras@teikal.gr.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotsiras
authors.affiliation: Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Natural Resources Development and Agricultural Engineering, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Votanikos, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: thantsaf@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsafouros
authors.affiliation: Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Natural Resources Development and Agricultural Engineering, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Votanikos, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: roussosp@aua.gr.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Roussos
authors.affiliation: Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Natural Resources Development and Agricultural Engineering, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Votanikos, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: gaivalakis@aua.gr.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aivalakis
authors.affiliation: Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Natural Resources Development and Agricultural Engineering, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Votanikos, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: katp@aua.gr.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katinakis
authors.affiliation: Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese, School of Agricultural Technology and Food Technology and Nutrition, Department of Agricultural Technology, 24100 Antikalamos, Kalamata, Greece. Electronic address: delis@teikal.gr.
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delis
mesh_terms: D015317:Biogenic Polyamines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005638:Fruit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000502:physiology*; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015317:Biogenic Polyamines; D010940:Plant Proteins
keywords: Arginine decarboxylase; Copper containing amine oxidase; Expression analysis; Fruit development; Ornithine decarboxylase; Polyamine biosynthesis; Polyamine catabolism