A novel cDNA from Parthenium argentatum Gray enhances the rubber biosynthetic activity in vitro.

Natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene) is an isoprenoid compound produced exclusively in plants by the action of rubber transferase. Despite a keen interest in revealing the mechanisms of rubber chain elongation and chain length determination, the molecular nature of rubber transferase has not yet been identified. A recent report has revealed that a 24 kDa protein tightly associated with the small rubber particles of Hevea brasiliensis, therefore designated small rubber particle protein (SRPP), plays a positive role in rubber biosynthesis.

Isolation of stress-related genes of rubber particles and latex in fig tree (Ficus carica) and their expressions by abiotic stress or plant hormone treatments.

Two rubber particle protein genes and one latex gene in fig tree (Ficus carica) have been isolated and their expression following various abiotic stress treatments have been investigated. The two major proteins that are tightly associated with the catalytically active rubber particles have been sequenced to be peroxidase (POX) and trypsin inhibitor (TRI). A cDNA encoding a basic class I chitinase (CHI) has also been isolated from the fig tree latex.