Roles of cysteine proteinase genes in wilting of balloon flower petals

研究了四种不同的半胱氨酸蛋白酶编码基因在桔梗球囊花花瓣快速萎蔫过程中的作用。PgCP1在开花初期表达上调，并一直持续到萎凋开始。另一方面，从萎凋前期花瓣中新鉴定到的PgCP3、PgCP4和PgCP5在萎凋前期和萎凋期均有显著上调。启动子分析表明，花瓣中PgCP1、PgCP4和PgCP5的表达可能受乙烯响应性调控元件（ERE）调控，而PgCP3的表达可能受其他未知因素的调控。

Involvement of four different genes encoding cysteine proteinase in the rapid wilting of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) petals was investigated. Expression of PgCP1 was up-regulated just after the flower opening stage and the expression remained until the onset of wilting. On the other hand, PgCP3, PgCP4 and PgCP5, which were newly identified from petals at the stage just before wilting, were markedly up-regulated from the stage just before wilting and the wilting stage. The promoter analysis indicated the possibility that the regulation via ethylene-responsive regulatory element (ERE) is involved in the expression of PgCP1, PgCP4 and PgCP5 in the petals whereas other unknown factors might be involved in regulation of PgCP3.