Differential gene expression among three sex types reveals a MALE STERILITY 1 (CpMS1) for sex differentiation in papaya

The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes among male, female and hermaphrodite flowers in papaya during early (pre-meiosis) and later (post-meiosis) stages of flower development. We identified a Male Sterility 1 gene (CpMS1) highly up-regulated in male and hermaphrodite flower buds compared to female flower buds. Besides important transcription factors related to flower organ development and flowering time regulation, we identified differential expression of genes that are known to participate in ABA, ROS and auxin signaling pathways. Two stages of flower bud development: pre-meiosis (size: 1-6 mm) and post-meiosis (size: 7-12 mm) and three different sex-types: male (variety 'AU9'), female (variety 'AU9') and hermaphrodite (variety 'SunUp').