Characterization of two putative ethylene receptor genes expressed during peach fruit development and abscission

The characterization and expression of PP-ACO1 and PP-ACO2, two members of the peach 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase (ACO) gene family, are reported. PP-ACO1 is organized in 4 exons interrupted by 3 introns, whereas PP-ACO2 has only 2 of the 3 introns present in PP-ACO1, Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of PP-ACO1 and PP-ACO2 reveals a 77.7% identity. PP-ACO1 and PP-ACO2 show highest degree of similarity with petunia (PH-ACO3; 84.10%) and apple (85.4%) ACO genes, respectively. PP-ACO1 is expressed in flowers, fruitlet abscission zones, mesocarp and in young fully expanded leaves. PP-ACOI transcript accumulation strongly increases during fruitlet abscission, in ripe mesocarp and senescing leaves, and is enhanced by propylene. PP-ACO2 mRNA accumulation is detected in fruits only during early development and is unaffected by propylene treatment, Both ACO genes are expressed in epicotyl and roots of growing seedlings, although a stronger accumulation of PP-ACO2 mRNA is observed.