Abstract
Two distinct cDNA clones showing sequence homology to higher-plant pectate lyase (Pel) genes were isolated from ripening banana fruits. The transcripts were detected only in fruit tissue and both were strongly ripening-related. Yeast transformation with the most highly expressed Pel clone produced a recombinant protein with pectate lyase activity, demonstrating that this sequence was likely to encode a pectate lyase protein in planta. An assay developed for measuring the action of the endogenous enzyme from banana pulp tissue revealed a significant increase in calcium-dependent pectate lyase activity during ripening. The enhanced levels of enzyme activity corresponded with an increase in soluble polyuronides from banana pulp.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Blotting, Northern
-
Cell Wall / chemistry
-
DNA, Complementary / chemistry
-
DNA, Complementary / genetics
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Musa / enzymology
-
Musa / genetics*
-
Musa / growth & development
-
Phylogeny
-
Polysaccharide-Lyases / genetics*
-
Polysaccharide-Lyases / metabolism
-
RNA, Messenger / genetics
-
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
-
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
-
Sequence Analysis, DNA
-
Solubility
-
Uronic Acids / isolation & purification
-
Uronic Acids / metabolism
Substances
-
DNA, Complementary
-
RNA, Messenger
-
Uronic Acids
-
traumacel
-
Polysaccharide-Lyases
-
pectate lyase