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Pectate lyase gene expression and enzyme activity in ripening banana fruit

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biotechnology Department, Wellesbourne, Horticulture Research International, Plant Genetics and, Warwickshire, CV35 9EF, UK

    M.C. Marín-Rodríguez, K. Manning & G.B. Seymour

  2. Horticultural Crops Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA

    D.L. Smith

  3. Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK

    J. Orchard

Authors
  1. M.C. Marín-Rodríguez
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  2. D.L. Smith
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  3. K. Manning
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  4. J. Orchard
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  5. G.B. Seymour
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Correspondence to G.B. Seymour.

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Marín-Rodríguez, M., Smith, D., Manning, K. et al. Pectate lyase gene expression and enzyme activity in ripening banana fruit. Plant Mol Biol 51, 851–857 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023057202847

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