EVIDENCE FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF ETHYLENE IN THE EXPRESSION OF SPECIFIC RNAS DURING MATURATION OF THE ORANGE, A NONCLIMACTERIC FRUIT

Twelve cDNAs corresponding to mRNAs inducible by ethylene were isolate d by differential screening of a cDNA library from ethylene-treated Ci trus sinensis fruits. Northern analysis of RNA extracted from flavedo of ethylene-treated fruits and from fruits at different maturation sta ges showed that some of the mRNAs corresponding to these cDNAs were re gulated both by ethylene treatment and during fruit maturation. The ef fect of exogenous ethylene on leaves and of endogenous ethylene on flo wers showed that gene induction was not restricted to the flavedo tiss ue. The possible role of ethylene during maturation of the non-climact eric Citrus fruit is discussed.