XVI International Botanical Congess

The complete open reading frame of a gene encoding a pollen protein with short-specific expression, has been sequenced. Internal peptide sequencing was used in conjunction with degenerate priming PCR, 3' RACE and cDNA library construction and screening. The sequence identified has extensive identity with other pollen pectinases. A similar strategy was used to identify a partial open reading frame of a short style-specific protein, also with extensive identity to a different set of pectinases. The role that pectinases might play in the formation of intermorph differences is considered.