EXPRESSION OF NOVEL GENES DURING SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS OF SUSPENSION-CULTURED CARROT CELLS (DAUCUS-CAROTA)

During somatic embryogenesis of suspension cultured carrot cells sever al genes were identified that are either transcribed immediately after induction or in association with the typical morphogenic stages. They were identified via their cDNAs. For clone DC E1 a temporary accumula tion of the specific mRNA between 4 and 24 h after induction was obser ved. The genes represented by clones DC A3 and DC B2 exhibit a maximum of expression at periods comprising the heart- and torpedo-shaped sta ges. For the mRNA of clone DC D2 a steady increase was monitored that starred about 6 days after induction and reached a constant level afte r about 20 days. With regard to the nucleotide sequence and the deduce d amino acid sequence DC A3 encodes a polypeptide with sequence mot if s abundant in glycine and proline residues. The prominent feature of D C B2 is a putative bipartite nuclear location site, a signal sequence conferring the important of a protein Into the cell nucleus. The predi cted amino acid sequence of DC E1 displays significant homology with c ytosolic ascorbate peroxidases.