A cotton gene encoding a polygalacturonase inhibitor-like protein is specifically expressed in petals

A cDNA encoding a polygalacturonase-inhibitor-like protein (PGIP) was isolated from cotton flower cDNA library. The cDNA, designated GhPS1 (GenBank accession No. ABO47744), encodes a protein with 370 amino acids that shares high similarity with the known plant PGIPs. Fluorescent microscopy indicated that GhPS1 protein localizes on the cell membranes as well as in cytoplasm. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and northern blot analyses showed that GhPS1 was specifically expressed in cotton petals. Furthermore, the GhPS1 expression was gradually up-regulated in petal development, and its transcripts were accumulated to the highest level in the petals at anthesis. However, its expression level was declined rapidly in senesced petals after flowering. At low temperature, the GhPS1 gene expression was gradually decreased to very low level in petals. Collectively, our results suggest that GhPS1 gene might be involved in cotton petal development and senescence, and in response to cold stress.