Two cDNA clones encoding 14-3-3 homologs from tomato fruit.

Two tomato cDNA clones with homology to the 14-3-3 family of proteins were identified through immunoscreening a ripening tomato fruit library (Clontech). These two clones share approx. 71% identity at the nucleotide level and 84% identity at the deduced amino acid level, with radical amino acid substitutions clustering at the acidic carboxy-terminus. Southern hybridization data indicate that each clone represents a unique gene. Distinct transcript accumulation patterns during tomato fruit ripening together with the homology to brain regulatory proteins suggest potential involvement in fruit development.