Two Oleosins Expressed in the Mesocarp of Native Mexican Avocado, Key Genes in the Oil Content

Intracellular lipid droplets (LD) provide the oil storage mechanism of plants. They are found within seeds as individual structures, even under conditions of cold stress and dehydration, due to the protein that covers them. This protein, called oleosin, is found exclusively in plants and has been widely studied in seeds. Avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) are rich in oil, which is stored in the mesocarp, not in the seeds. The presence of oleosin in the mesocarp tissue of avocadoes has been reported, but its physiological role is still unknown. In this study, we identify two genes that code for oleosin in the mesocarp of the native Mexican avocado. These sequences are very different from those of seed oleosins. Both genes are expressed during fruit ripening, while one, PaOle1, has the highest expression in the green fruit stage. The protein of PaOle1 is stable during the fruit ripening process and covers all the mesocarp LDs. The expression of PaOle1 gene and protein is organ specific to avocado mesocarp. Among avocadoes varieties oleosin abundance is directly related to oil content.