A fruit-specific and developmentally regulated endopolygalacturonase gene from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler)

A fruit-specific and developmentally regulated polygalacturonase gene (spG gene) from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler) has been cloned an d characterized at a molecular and physiological level. Comparison analysis of the corresponding deduced sPG protein have shown that this strawberry g ene is similar to Clade A endopolygalacturonase genes. Moreover, the spatio -temporal an hormonal gene expression pattern suggests a close relationship between the expression of this gene an the onset of the strawberry fruit r ipening process and agrees with that of the production of oligosaccharins w hich have already been described as active molecules involved in fruit ripe ning. The results are discussed in terms of a putative role of this enzyme in the release of oligosaccharins from the strawberry fruit cell wall.