A fruit-specific and developmentally regulated polygalacturonase gene (spG gene) from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler) has been cloned and characterized at a molecular and physiological level. Comparison analysis of the corresponding deduced sPG protein have shown that this strawberry gene is similar to Clade A endopolygalacturonase genes. Moreover, the spatio-temporal and hormonal gene expression pattern suggests a close relationship between the expression of this gene and the onset of the strawberry fruit ripening process and agrees with that of the production of oligosaccharins which have already been described as active molecules involved in fruit ripening. The results are discussed in terms of a putative role of this enzyme in the release of oligosaccharins from the strawberry fruit cell wall.