Molecular cloning of the anther-preferential nonspecific lipid transfer protein cDNA in hot pepper by mRNA differential display

To better understand the molecular control of anther development, an anther -preferential mRNA was isolated from hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) using mRN A differentially display. Using the displayed fragment as a probe, a full-l ength cDNA named CaLTP was isolated. A nucleotide sequence analysis of CaLT P revealed that the clone contains an open reading frame of 123 amino acids , which exhibits a 60-23% identity with nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP). Northern and RT-PCR analysis of the clone confirmed that Cat TP m RNA was predominant to anther tissues. The basal expression level in the le aves was slightly induced only by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Southern a nalysis reveals that CaLTP is present as a single-copy gene in hot pepper g enome. We hypothesize that CaLTP might have an important role in protecting the reproductive tissues from environmental stresses.