A β-D-xylosidase-like gene is expressed during fruit ripening in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai)

To elucidate the molecular basis of fruit ripening in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), studies to identify genes up-regulated during ripening by differential display techniques and cDNA library screening were started. A cDNA clone, JPRXYL, encoding a polypeptide which shows high similarity to bacterial beta-D-xylosidases was identified. Northern analysis showed that the transcripts of JPRXYL accumulated during fruit ripening, after harvest and also in yellowing old leaves, These results suggest that JPRXYL may be a senescence-related gene.