In an attempt to isolate a full length oleosin cDNA from oil palm kernel, we identified a putative clone by colony hybridization of cDNAs from a 20 weeks after anthesis (WAA) kernel library with the oleosin gene (oleM) from maize (Zea rnays). The recombinant plasmid, pOP-KT115, has an insert of 550 base pair (bp). The nucleotide sequence of this insert showed high similarities with the oleosin genes from maize, barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rice (Oryza sativa).
In a Northern blot analysis with the insert of pOP-KT115 as probe, positive signals were only detected with total RNA from oil palm kernel tissues at 10, 12, and 14 WAA. No hybridization signal was detected with total RNA from mesocarp tissues, leaf, germinating seedlings, and inflorescences at Frond 10 (FIO) and Frond 19 (F19). This result concurs with the findings of previous studies carried out with mesocarp tissues of olive (Olea europea) and avocado (Persea americana).