Cloning of a cDNA for a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase that is expressed during development of female flowers at the apices of Cucumis sativus L.

In cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants, it has been reported that a high correlation existed between the evolution of ethylene from the apices and the development of female flowers. We isolated three distinct cDNA encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase from cucumber. Among of these, only CS-ACS2 mRNA was detected at the apices of gynoecious cucumber in which female flowers were developing. The expression of the CS-ACS2 gene was examined in the apices of three cucumber cultivars (Rensei, Ougonmegami 2-gou and Shimoshirazu) by RNA gel blot analysis. In these cultivars, both the timing and the levels of expression of the CS-ACS2 transcript were correlated with the development of female flowers at the nodes. Furthermore, the timing of the induction of expression of the CS-ACS2 gene at the apex corresponded to that of the action of ethylene in induction of the first female flower at the apex of gynoecious cucumber plants. These results suggest that the development of female flowers might be regulated by the level of CS-ACS2 mRNA at the apex.