TRANSCRIPTION OF A BETA-1,3-GLUCANASE GENE IN GRAPE BERRIES IN A LATEDEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD, OR EARLIER AFTER WOUNDING TREATMENTS

The hydrolytic enzymes beta-1,3-glucanases (EC3.2.1.39) an known to be involved in plant defense reactions against pathogens and in developm ental events. We have obtained two partial cDNA clones, corresponding to Vitis vinifera beta-1,3-glucanase gene sequences (VvGlu1/7 and VvGl u26). The expression of VvGlu1/7 was studied in grape berries at diffe rent developmental stages and in wounded berries with or without salic ylic acid elicitation. No constitutive expression was observed in youn g berries, whereas the induction of VvGlu1/7 transcription was detecte d during fruit ripening. By contrast, synthesis of mRNA coding for thi s isoform was generated in the first stage of rapid berry growth in re sponse to wounding treatments with and without salicylic acid.