Abstract:

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibers are derived from the outer integument of ovule, while little is known about cotton ovule development. In order to identify and analyze the expression of genes associated with cotton ovule development, a cDNA array approach was used to screen for genes with altered expression in cotton ovule before and after anthesis, and 25 differentially expressed genes were subsequently identified. Among them, GhIAA16 encodes a predicted polypeptide of 208 amino acids highly homologous to Arabidopsis IAA16. Molecular analysis revealed that it is a single-copy gene in cotton genome and specifically expressed in the ovule endothelium. To our knowledge, GhIAA16 is the first endothelium-specific gene isolated from cotton. Its possible function is discussed during cotton ovule formation.

Key words: cDNA array, GhIAA16, cotton ovule, endothelium