Accumulation of a glycine rich protein in auxin-deprived strawberry fruits.

Growth of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Ozark Beauty) receptacles is regulated by auxin supplied from the achenes. The receptacle growth can be stopped at any stage by deachening the fruits, and can be resumed by exogenous application of auxin. In our earlier studies we demonstrated auxin regulated polypeptide changes at different stages of strawberry fruit development. Removal of achenes from fruits and growing the receptacles without auxin resulted in the time-dependent accumulation of 52,000 Mr polypeptide. Amino acid analysis revealed that the protein is rich in glycine. Our studies, with normal and variant strawberry receptacles, indicate that the synthesis and accumulation of this glycine-rich protein correlates with cessation of receptacle growth. These results suggest a possible role for the glycine-rich protein in cessation of growth.