Abstract
A melon ACC synthase gene(CMe-ACS2) is highly homologous in amino acid level to At-ACS6 which is known as a multi-responsive ACC synthase gene in Arabidopsis. Therefore, CMe-ACS2 may also be induced by various environmental stimuli. We investigated expression patterns of CMe-ACS2 gene in melon leaves under various stress conditions. CMe-ACS2 was increased by wounding, and by stress treatment such as cold and NaCl. The promoter region of CMe-ACS2 contained a GCCGAC cis-acting element that was involved in stress-responsive gene expression. By using the yeast one-hybrid screening system, we isolated three cDNAs encoding DREB/ERF transcription factors. Their deduced amino acid sequences were including AP2/ERF DNA binding domain. One of them was classified into DREB subfamily, and the others were classified into ERF subfamily. We now investigate whether these transcription factors play a role in stress-related gene expression of CMe-ACS2.
