Cloning of Epidermis-specific cDNAS Encoding a Lipid Transfer Protein and an Aldehyde Decarbonylase from Senecio odorus

The major cuticular components have been shown to be synthesized in the epidermis. Therefore, cloning of epidermis-specific genes could yield information to be used to isolate and characterize the enzymes involved in the cuticle biosynthesis. A subtractive cDNA library was prepared from Senecio odorus in which epidermis-specific cDNAs were enriched. Differential screening of the library using epidermal and non-epidermal probes revealed two cDNAs. One of them designated epi425 was identified, based on the sequence homology, as a member of a new class in the LTP gene family and the other clone designated epi23 as a gene encoding an aldehyde decarbonylase. Northern blot analyses showed that epi425 and epi23 cDNAs hybridized with a transcript of about 600 and 2, 100 nucleotides, respectively, from the epidermis but not from the non-epidermal tissues. Further characterization of these clones will provide more information on the mechanism of the cuticle biosynthesis.