Characterization of a Euphorbia lagascae epoxide hydrolase gene that is induced early during germination

In Euphorbia lagascae the major fatty acid in triacylglycerol is the epoxidated fatty acid vernolic acid (cis- 12-epoxyoctadeca-cis-9-enoic acid). The enzymic reactions occurring during the catabolism of epoxidated fatty acids during germination are not known, but it seems likely that the degradation requires the activity of an epoxide hydrolase. Epoxide hydrolases are a group of functionally related enzymes that catalyse the cofactor-independent hydrolysis of epoxides to their corresponding vicinal diols by the addition of a water molecule. Here we report the cloning and characterization of an epoxide hydrolase gene from E. lagascae. The structure of the gene is unusual since it lacks introns. A detailed investigation of the transcription pattern of the epoxide hydrolase gene shows that the gene is induced during germination. We have used in situ hybridization to identify in which tissues the gene is expressed during germination. We speculate that this epoxide hydrolase enzyme is involved in the catabolism of epoxidated fatty acids during germination of E. lagascae seeds.