Ethylene Production and Expression of Two Ethylene Biosynthetic Genes in Senescing Flowers of Hosta ventricosa

Abstract

Senescence of Hosta ventricosa flowers was firstly characterized as ethylene-sensitive since the deterioration of the tepal was accompanied by increased endogenous ethylene biosynthesis. The full-length cDNAs and DNAs of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO) involved in ethylene biosynthesis were cloned from H. ventricosa flowers. The HvACS ORF with 1347 bp and two introns, encoded a polypeptide of 448 amino acids showing 79% homology with that in Musa acuminata. The HvACO ORF contained 957 bp and three introns, encoding a 318-residue polypeptide showing 83% homology with that in Narcissus tazetta. The timing of the induction of HvACS expression was in correspond to the timing of the increase in ethylene production, and that the up-regulation of HvACO transcript was closely correlated with an elevated ethylene production, but underwent a down-regulation in wounded leaves with elevated ethylene emission. The results, together with expression analysis in vegetative tissues, suggested that both HvACS and HvACO were specifically regulated by flower senescence.