Cloning of a cDNA encoding an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme from Catharanthus roseus: expression analysis in plant organs and in response to hormones in cell suspensions.

A novel cDNA (Crubie2) encoding ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 was isolated from a Catharanthus roseus cDNA library. Sequence comparison with Arabidopsis thaliana E2 sequences revealed that CrUBIE2 is a member of a new plant E2 sub-family. Expression of Crubie2 is repressed in developing organs and down-regulated by cytokinin suggesting that a decrease in the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway may take part in the regulation of alkaloid biosynthesis in C. roseus cell suspensions.