A pistil-specific PR-1 like protein of Camellia, its expression, sequence and genealogical position

A major protein endogenously expressed in Camellia pistils with a high leve l of expression at the period of anthesis was detected by two-dimensional g el electrophoresis. Their N-terminal amino acid sequences showed a high lev el of homology with pathogenesis-related (PR)-1 proteins from plants. North ern blot analysis demonstrated that the protein was expressed specifically in pistils. The gene coding the PR-1-like protein was cloned from tea (Came llia sinensis), and compared with those of other PR-1 and PR-1-like protein s. Based on sequence homology and induction, the protein was designated as Camellia PR-1-like (PRL-1) protein. The deduced PRL-I protein sequence disp layed the highest homology with STS14, which was earlier described as a PR- 1-like protein expressed in pistils of potato. With the addition of this PR L-1 protein, we discussed the possibility of a new class of PR-1-like prote ins, which are specifically induced in pistils of many plant families. The sequence of PRL-1 gene is registered as Accession: AB015047.