Halfter U et al. 1994
- Authors:
Halfter U. Ali N. Stockhaus J. Ren L. Chua NH.
- Title:
Ectopic expression of a single homeotic gene, the Petunia gene green
petal, is sufficient to convert sepals to petaloid organs.
- Reference location:
EMBO Journal. 13(6):1443-9, 1994 Mar 15.
- Abstract:
Genetic studies in Arabidopsis and
Antirrhinum showed that petal
determination requires the concomitant expression of two homeotic
functions, A and B, whereas the A function alone determines sepal
identity. The B function is represented by at least two genes. The Petunia
homeotic gene green petal (gp) is essential for petal determination as
demonstrated by a Petunia gp mutant that has sepals instead of petals. We
have used ectopic expression of the gp gene as a tool to study flower
development in Petunia. CaMV 35S-gp expression leads to homeotic
conversion of sepals into petaloid organs when expressed early in
development. This demonstrates that a single homeotic gene is sufficient
to induce homeotic conversion of sepals to petals, suggesting that other
petal determining genes are regulated in part by ectopically expressed gp.
Indeed, two other MADS-box-containing genes, pmads 2 and fbp 1, which show
homology to the
Antirrhinum B
function gene globosa, are activated in the
converted petal tissue. Furthermore, our data provide evidence for
autoregulation of gp expression in the petaloid tissue and uncover the
role of gp in fusion of petal tissues.
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