Expression, Regulation and Function of Aquaporin in Flower and Fruit

Abstract

Water and water transport are indispensable factors to discuss growth and sweetness of fruit and flower opening and vase life. We focus on functions of aquaporin in flower and fruit and we are studying following subjects. 1, profiling of aquaporin expression in pear, tomato and Japanese morning glory. 2, phosphorylational regulation of water transport activity of PIP2 using Xenopus oocyte system. 3, production of anti-phospho-PIP2 antibodies and monitoring phosphorylational state of PIP2 in fruit growth and flower opening. 4, production of transgenic plants of aquaporin genes. Our data showed that a larger number of aquaporin genes express in flower and fruit, that water transport activity of PIP2 increases when one of the serine residue in loop B or C terminus, and that phosphorylational state of PIP2 changes dramatically in fruit growth and flower opening. I will discuss expression, regulation and function of aquaporin in flower and fruit.