Abstract:In order to understand the function of chalcone synthase in cold resistance of Jatropha curcas, a chilling-induced chalcone synthase gene, named as JcCHS, was cloned from J. curcas based on data of transcriptome and digital gene expression profiling (DGE), and the expression patterns were analyzed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that the full length of JcCHS cDNA was 1386 bp, with entire open reading frame (ORF) of 1170 bp encoding 389 amino acids. The theoretical molecular weight of JcCHS was 42.2 kDa with pI of 6.53. JcCHS protein shared 93.6% identity with CHS from Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae), and belong to the type-III polyketide synthase family containing conserved domains of chalcone synthase/styrene synthase. The expression of JcCHS was detected in all tissues with the highest expression in root. In addition, the over-expression of JcCHS in yeast enhanced its resistance to low temperature. So, it was suggested that JcCHS gene would involve in the cold-resistance formation in J. curcas.