Molecular cloning and expression analysis of 12-oxophytodienoate reductase cDNA by wounding in Solanum tuberosum

jasmonic acid (ja) and 12-oxophytodienoic acid (opda) are signal molecules involved in the stress and defense responses in plants. a full-length cdna clon of opr3 encoding 12-oxophytodienoate reductase 3, key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of ja from linolenic acid was obtained from a solanum tuberosum cdna library. sequence analysis showed that opr3 encoded a polypeptide of 400 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 43.9 kda and pi of 7.72. the deduced amino acid sequence of opr3 showed high similarities to other 12-oxophytodienoate reductases. a peroxisomal signal sequence indicates opr3 probable location in peroxisome. levels of opr3 mrna accumulated in potato leaves reaching maximum levels within 1 hr of mechanical wounding. elevated levels of ja were correlated to expression of the opr3 gene.