Characterization and gene expression of an annexin during fruit development in Capsicum annuum

Several lines of evidence indicate that annexins, as calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins, are involved in a variety of plant cellular processes. We were interested in determining if annexins are implicated in the highly regulated fruit development of bell pepper. By differential screening of several cDNA libraries, we isolated a full-length cDNA of 1180 bp encoding an annexin. Northern blot analyses show a differential expression pattern of the transcripts during the early stages of development and during ripening. Immunoblots using antiserum raised against p33/p35 from maize reveal that crossreactive polypeptides of about 30 kDa are present at each stage of fruit development in bell pepper. We partially purified the annexins from seedlings and green fruits. At least one annexin of 32 kDa is present in these plant tissues.