Abstract
A cDNA for putative cytochrome P450, down-regulated during Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated tumorigenesis, was isolated from a potato tuber. The gene product was assigned the name CYP72A29 based on the deduced amino acid sequence. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CYP72A29 is unique to solanaceous plants. Northern blot analysis indicated that the expression of the CYP72A29 was transiently up-regulated by wounding in tuber discs, and then gradually increased by further incubation. Inoculation of tuber discs with the wild type or IAA-overproducing mutant strain of A. tumefaciens caused a marked suppression of the accumulation of CYP72A29 mRNA. The down-regulation occurred when the discs were treated with 2,4-D, suggesting that auxin may regulate the expression of the CYP72A29. The accumulation of CYP72A29 mRNA was also suppressed by treatment with arachidonic acid, a potent elicitor. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the transcripts were most abundant in sprouts and eyes, and hardly detectable in leaves, flower buds and stems.
