Identification of expressed genes in early maturated fruit of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess.)

Abstract

The pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess.) is a species native to the Brazilian Cerrado and plays an important social and nutritional role for the population of the region. It is a species that is traditionally gathered and today is seen as a source for the production of biodiesel. The objective of this study was to identify sequences from a cDNA library that are involved in the metabolic pathways in early maturated fruit stage of pequi. To do so, a cDNA library was created and the clones were cloned and sequenced. These identified sequences were deposited in GenBank. Most of the sequences found using the Blastn and tBlastx tools are associated with protection against oxidative stress in plants, some are transcription factors and others provide structural and pathogenic resistance. The transcriptome of pequi is an effective method of identifying genes and proteins responsible for important biological characteristics of the plant, thus laying the groundwork for new studies aimed at developing a full understanding of the genomic structure of
the pequi.

Keywords: Pequi. Caryocar brasiliense. ESTs. Molecular biology.