Abstract
Vessel elements (VEs), a component of vessels, open pores at their longitudinal ends at final stage of their differentiation. We are studying the perforation mechanism in view of cell wall-hydrolytic enzymes using Arabidopsis plants and Zinnia cultured cells which can be easily induced to differentiate into VEs synchronously.
We here report VE-specific Polygalacturonases (PGs). Based on the information of microarray analysis against Zinnia cells, we isolated two full-length Zinnia PG genes, ZePG2 and ZePG3, whose gene expression is transiently induced just before the perforation. Interestingly, they possessed the putative ER retention signal at the C-terminal, which is a unique feature among the large family of PGs. The product of ZePG2 is synthesized in E. coli and its antibody was prepared. Using the antibody, we examine PG expression pattern. From these data and expression profiles of these genes, we will discuss PG localization and function in VEs.
