Characterization of an ethylene-induced esterase gene isolated from Citrus sinensis by competitive hybridization.

A simple new method, competitive hybridization, for identification of differentially regulated genes was used to isolate novel genes induced by ethylene in citrus (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck cv. Shamouti) leaves. One of the isolated genes, an ethylene-induced esterase gene (EIE), was further characterized. The deduced protein sequence of this gene shows a similarity to those of several plant alpha/beta hydrolase gene family members, which are known to be involved in secondary metabolism. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that EIE mRNA was induced by ethylene within 4 h and accumulated to a very high level 24 h after the initiation of ethylene treatment. Induction of EIE by ethylene could be counteracted by 1-methylcyclopropene, a potent ethylene perception inhibitor, indicating that the expression of EIE is ethylene-dependent. The bacterially expressed protein of EIE was recognized by antiserum against Pir7b, a naphthol AS esterase induced in rice by the non-host pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. The EIE protein was identified in ethylene-treated leaves using anti-Pir7b antibodies. An alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase accumulated concomitantly with the increase in EIE protein in ethylene-treated citrus leaves. An enzyme activity assay followed by western analysis confirmed that the esterase was EIE.