Allium-originated protein and polypeptides having lachrymator synthase activity and their encoded DNAs to develop plants with reduced lachrymator and drugs to relieve dry eyes

摘要

Described is a protein or a polypeptide having the effect of converting 1-propenylsulfenic acid into a lachrymator, which participates in the synthesis of the lachrymator released in grinding or cutting a plant such as onion; a DNA encoding the protein or polypeptide (a lachrymator synthase gene); a primer to be used in isolating the lachrymator synthase gene of a plant belonging to the genus Allium; a method of isolating the gene with the use of the primer; a recombinant vector containing the above DNA; a transformant having a recombinant vector containing the above DNA; a process for producing a protein or a polypeptide having the lachrymator synthase activity by culturing host cells having been transformed by a recombinant vector containing the above DNA; a protein or a polypeptide having the lachrymator synthase activity; and a nucleic acid molecule inhibiting the translation of mRNA concerning a protein or a polypeptide having the lachrymator synthase activity.