Open AccessCloning and expression of a tomato cDNA encoding a methyl jasmonate cleaving esterase
Author(s) -
Stuhlfelder Christiane,
Mueller Martin J.,
Warzecha Heribert
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.2004.04227.x
Subject(s) - methyl jasmonate , jasmonic acid , elicitor , complementary dna , jasmonate , biochemistry , biology , enzyme , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , arabidopsis , gene , mutant
Jasmonic acid and its methyl ester are ubiquitous plant signalling compounds necessary for the regulation of growth and development, as well as for the response of plants to environmental stress factors. To date, it is not clear whether methyl jasmonate itself acts as a signal or if its conversion to jasmonic acid is mandatory prior to the induction of a defense response. We have cloned a cDNA, encoding a methyl jasmonate‐cleaving enzyme, from tomato cell suspension cultures. Sequence analysis revealed significant similarity to plant esterases and to ( S )‐hydroxynitrile lyases with an α/β‐hydrolase fold structure. The coding sequence was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and purified in a catalytically active form. Transcript levels, as well as enzymatic activity, were determined in different tomato tissues. High transcript levels and enzyme activities were found in roots and flowers, while the mRNA level and activity were low in stems and leaves. Moreover, when tested in methyl jasmonate‐ and elicitor‐treated cell suspension cultures, transcript levels were found to decrease, indicating that this particular enzyme might be a regulator of jasmonate signalling.