Saedler H et al. 1993
- Authors:
Saedler H. Huijser P.
- Title:
Molecular biology of flower development in Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon).
[Review]
- Reference location:
Gene. 135(1-2):239-43, 1993 Dec 15.
- Abstract:
In recent years, isolation of several genes affecting flower development
in Antirrhinum majus made this species a major model system to study this
important developmental process. Genes like SQUAMOSA and FLORICAULA are
involved in determination of the floral meristem. Their mutation results
in the development of bract-forming shoots at positions where normally
flowers would develop. The phenotypes obtained upon mutation of the genes
found to affect floral organogenesis fall into three major categories. In
each category, always the floral organs in two adjacent whorls become
homeotically transformed. Based on this observation a simple genetic model
has been proposed to explain the establishment of floral organ identity in
the four concentric whorls of the flower. The model hypothesizes the
independent induction of two developmental pathways specifying floral
organ identity after the formation of sepals as the basic type of organ
following induction of a floral meristem. One of these pathways is under
the control of the PLENA gene, the other is controlled by the DEFICIENS
and GLOBOSA genes. These genes, as well as SQUAMOSA, encode transcription
factors sharing a conserved DNA binding domain: the MADS-box. In vitro
DNA-binding studies complemented with molecular genetic analysis of the
respective mutants show that the DEF and GLO proteins may act together in
the form of a heterodimer in the regulation of their target genes as well
as in autoregulation. The possible interactions between other MADS-box
proteins and their role in flower development is under current
investigation. [References: 22]
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