Characterization of a cDNA homologous to carotenoid-associated protein in citrus fruits

A cDNA (CitPAP) homologous to a gene encoding for Cucumis sativus carotenoid-associated protein (CHRC) has been isolated from satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.). Unlike ChrC whose expression was limited only in mature fruits (containing chromoplasts), CitPAP transcripts were detected in all the tissues examined including fruits, flowers and leaves. In this respect, CitPAP was rather close to a gene encoding for pepper plastid-lipid-associated protein (PAP), which exhibits ubiquitous expression in bell pepper organs containing chloroplasts or chromoplasts. CitPAP, however, differed from PAP in the magnitude and pattern of RNA accumulation. These results might indicate a novel function of CitPAP.