Characterization of A cDNA encoding A Novel Phenazine Compound in Hot Pepper

  • Published : 2003.10.01

Abstract

From the PMMV (pepper mild mottle virus)-inducible ESTs differentially expressed in Capsicum chinense PI257284, we isolated a full-length cDNA (CcPHZF: Capsicum chinense phenazine), encoding a phenazine biosynthesis protein which catalyzes the hydroxylation of phenozine-1-carboxylic acid to 2-hydroxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acid. Phenazine compound has been known to exhibit broad-spectrum of antibiotic activity against various species of bacteria and fungus. The entire region of CcPHZF is 879 bp in length and the open reading frame predicted a polypeptide of 292 amino acids. The homolog of CcPHZF is not Present in database except clones of AC004044 and NM100203 from Arabidopsis with 58 and 59%, respectively. Genomic Southern analysis indicated that the pepper genome contains a single copy of CcPHZF. The CcPHZF was strongly induced in the pepper leaves 3 days after PMMV treatment, when HR occurs on the leaf surface. Characterization of CcPHZF is underway to investigate if the CcPHZF is related to disease resistance against pathogens.

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