A cDNA-AFLP approach to look for differentially expressed gene fragments in dioecious pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) for understanding sex expression

Abstract

Transcript profiling of unopened male and female floral buds of pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.), a dioecious cucurbit, at uniform developmental stage was done through eDNA-AFLP to look for the differentially expressed unique and/or up-regulated gene fragments associated with sex expression. Thirty-one such fragments, twenty-three from male and eight from female, were selected, cloned, sequenced and assigned putative protein functions after database searching and obtaining GenBank accessions. The annotation of one male-derived clone (TDM16) as polygalacturonase with remarkably high level of homology as revealed from database searching is a promising finding, since this protein has direct involvement with pollen development, germination and tube growth with particular function in depolymerization of pectin.