Characterization of a novel tomato EIN3-like gene (LeEIL4)

A novel cDNA clone encoding a putative EIN3-like protein (LeEIL4) was identified from ripening tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit. The predicted amino acid sequence contained conserved domains of EIN3-like proteins in the N-terminal half. In phylogenetic analysis, LeEIL4 was classified into the cluster consisting of EIN3 and EIN3-like proteins known to be involved in ethylene signal transduction. LeEIL4 transcripts accumulated in all tissues examined, with higher levels in ripening fruit.