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Expression of phytoene synthase gene (Psy) is enhanced during fruit ripening of Cara Cara navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck)

  • Physiology and Biochemistry
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Abstract

Citrus is an important fruit crop as regards accumulation of carotenoids. In plant carotenoid biosynthesis, phytoene synthase gene (Psy) plays a key role in catalyzing the head-to-head condensation of geranylgeranyl diphosphate molecules to produce colorless phytoene. In the present paper, we reported the phytoene contents determination and characterization of Psy during fruit ripening of “Washington” navel orange and its red-fleshed mutant “Cara Cara”. Results showed that phytoene was exclusively accumulated in peel and pulp of “Cara Cara”. Although phytoene was observed accumulating with fruit ripening of “Cara Cara”, the contents in pulp were 10 times higher than those in peel. The isolated two Psy cDNAs were both 1520 bp in full length, containing 436 deduced amino acid residues, with a different amino acid at 412th. Genomic hybridization results showed that one or two copies might be present in “Cara Cara” and “Washington” genomes. During “Cara Cara” and “Washington” fruit coloration, expression of Psy was observed to be up-regulated, as revealed by tissue specific profiles in the flavedo, albedo, segment membrane and juice sacs. However, Psy expression in albedo of “Cara Cara” was higher than that in “Washington”, as evidenced by phytoene accumulation in the peel.

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Abbreviations

Psy :

Phytoene synthase gene

cDNA:

Complementary DNA

DAF:

Days after flowering

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC No. 30471201) and the Ministry of Education of China (IRT0548). We are also grateful to Dr. Liu in our lab for his reviewing this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Crop Molecular Breeding, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China

    Nengguo Tao, Zhiyong Hu, Qin Liu, Juan Xu, Yunjiang Cheng, Linlin Guo, Wenwu Guo & Xiuxin Deng

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  1. Nengguo Tao
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  2. Zhiyong Hu
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  3. Qin Liu
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  4. Juan Xu
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  5. Yunjiang Cheng
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  6. Linlin Guo
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  7. Wenwu Guo
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  8. Xiuxin Deng
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Correspondence to Xiuxin Deng.

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Communicated by W.-H. Wu

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Tao, N., Hu, Z., Liu, Q. et al. Expression of phytoene synthase gene (Psy) is enhanced during fruit ripening of Cara Cara navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck). Plant Cell Rep 26, 837–843 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-006-0289-0

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