A beta-D-xylosidase-like gene is expressed during fruit ripening in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai)

To elucidate the molecular basis of fruit ripening in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), studies to identify genes up-regulated during ripening by diffe rential display techniques and cDNA library screening were started. A cDNA clone, JPRXYL, encoding a polypeptide which shows high similarity to bacter ial beta-D-xylosidases was identified. Northern analysis showed that the tr anscripts of JPRXYL accumulated during fruit ripening, after harvest and al so in yellowing old leaves, These results suggest that JPRXYL may be a sene scence-related gene.