Stress-responsive alpha-dioxygenase expression in tomato roots.

Alpha-dioxygenase (alpha-DOX) enzymes catalyse the oxygenation of fatty acids to yield a newly identified group of oxylipins that play a role in protecting tissues from oxidative damage and cell death. In tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) alpha-DOX was identified as salt-regulated by differential display of mRNA, and is represented by a small gene family comprising at least three members: LEalpha-DOX1, -2, and -3 of which only LEalpha-DOX1 was salt-responsive.