Cloning of a cDNA encoding EIN3‐like protein (DC‐EIL1) and decrease in its mRNA level during senescence in carnation flower tissues

A cDNA clone encoding a putative EIN3-like protein (DC-EIL1) was obtained from total RNA isolated from senescing carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) petals using RT-PCR and RACE techniques. The cDNA (2382 bp) contained an open reading frame of 1986 bp corresponding to 662 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal half of the protein, ranging from 80-300 amino acid residues, had 84% identity with that of the corresponding regions of Arabidopsis EIN3 and tobacco TEIL, although the overall identity was 49% and 52%, respectively. Northern blot analysis revealed that the amount of mRNA corresponding to DC-EIL1 decreased in flower tissues, especially in petals, during natural senescence and senescence induced by exogenously applied ethylene or ABA.