Identification and characterization of transcripts differentially expressed during development of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) fruits

The application of the complementary DNA (cDNA)-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique to clone transcripts differentially expressed during fruit development and ripening is reported. Using 34 different primer combinations, 265 cDNA-AFLP bands were found differentially expressed in six fruit developmental stages, with leaf and developing seed as controls. One hundred twenty-five bands were cloned and sequenced and database search allowed to identify genes involved in cell wall, sugar, lipid, organic acids, and protein metabolism, as well as genes participating in hormonal signaling and in signal transduction (51 sequences, 41% of total). Genomic and expression analyses for a group of genes as well as phylogenetic investigations were carried out. cDNA-AFLP profiles have been also compared to the corresponding Northern hybridization data. Several genes are described for the first time in apricot or in other Prunus species. They establish the basis for further investigation of the ripening process in stone fruits.