Genes expressed in Taiwania reproductive organs include two male-cone protein 1 precursor homologs

Abstract

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata), a conifer native to Taiwan, is an economically important tree species due to its high resistance to insect infection and high wood utilization properties; however, when it was grown in clonal orchards, no filled seeds or fertile pollen were obtained. To address this reproductive dilemma, a suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) library was constructed from male cones, female cones and leaves. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed that two bark storage proteins, a beta-phellandrene synthase, an endochitinase A2 precursor and two male-cone protein 1 precursors were specifically expressed in the reproductive organs of Taiwania. Comparisons of these two male-cone protein 1 precursors with those of Pinus radiata suggest that these genes may have different functions during different stages of male cone development and that different specific genes may be obtained from male cones collected at different stages of development.