Abstract:

【Objective】 The aim of this study was to isolate the cDNA sequence of the gene GhBCP1, and to probe the functions of the gene by characterizing it’s expression patterns in different tissues and developing fibers. 【Method】 The full-length cDNA sequence of GhBCP1 was cloned by Fluorescence differential display (FDD) technique and rapid amplification of the cDNA ends （RACE）. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the cDNA and the encoded amino acid sequence, and fluorescence real time quantitative PCR method was used to study the expression pattern of the gene in different tissues. 【Result】 A full-length cDNA that is specifically expressed in cotton fiber cells was cloned. The gene was designated GhBCP1 (GeneBank accession: EF222282). The cloned cDNA was 721bp in length which encoded a peptide of 176 amino acids. Blast analysis indicated that this gene encoded a blue copper protein. Southern blot analysis showed that the upland cotton genome contains two copies of the gene. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that GhBCP1 was specifically expressed in fiber cells and its transcripts were more abundant at the transition between the elongation and secondary cell wall synthesis stages. 【Conclusion】 The results showed that GhBCP1 may play a role at the onset of the secondary cell wall synthesis in developing cotton fiber cells.

Key words: Gossypium hirsutum L., cotton fiber, blue copper protein, specifical expression