[Expression analysis of the unisex-determine gene M in cucumber]

Sex determination in plants has various mechanism; however, a single gene locus controlling unisexual expression is unique in the Cucurbitaceae plants, particularly cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and melon (Cucumis melo L.). In this study, with quantitative RT-PCR method, two sets of near-isogenic lines (NILs) were used to analyze the expression pattern of gene CsACS2 (GenBank accession number FJ529216). Additionally, chemical applications (AgNO3 and AVG) were used to investigate the effect of the plant endogenous ethylene on CsACS2 expression. Expression analysis reveals that endogenous ethylene, which might be derived from F or M itself, could activate the expression of M gene.