Cloning,expression of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus</Emphasis> phytoene desaturase gene and preparation of antiserum against it

A 2 149 bp full length phytoene desaturase (PDS) cDNA was first cloned from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) stigma using RT-PCR technique and a rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) strategy. The cDNA has an open reading frame of 1 697 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 565 amino acids. The coding region of the cDNA was inserted into a prokaryotic expression vector pET-21a(+) and over-expressed inE. coli BL21 (DE3). The fusion proteins were found largely in an insoluble inclusion bodies. The purified fusion protein was used to immunize rabbits to obtain polyclonal antiserum with titer of 1×10⁵. Western blot analysis by using this particular antiserum showed that the higher expression level of PDS in mature stigma than in leaves and stamen, and the higher expression level of PDS in mature stigma than in young stigma. Foundation item: Supported by the Doctoral Foundation of the Ministry of Education, P. R. China and the Young Science Foundation of Sichuan University (Grant 0020405505012) Biography: Bai Jie (1968-), female, Ph. D candidate, research direction: plant developmental biology and reproductive engineering.