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The MADS box gene FBP2 is required for SEPALLATA function in petunia
Silvia Ferrario1, Richard G H Immink, Anna Shchennikova
1Business Unit Plant Development and Reproduction, Plant Research International, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
The Plant Cell
|April 3, 2003
Summary
The E-function gene is crucial for flower development, regulating floral organ identity and determinacy. In petunia, FBP2 and FBP5 genes provide this E-function, similar to SEP3 in Arabidopsis.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Developmental genetics
Background:
- The ABC model is a paradigm for angiosperm flower development.
- A new class of E-function genes has been introduced, modifying the ABC model.
- E-function genes are essential for the activity of B- and C-class homeotic proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of E-function genes in petunia flower development.
- To determine if petunia genes FBP2 and FBP5 provide the E-function.
- To compare the E-function in petunia with that of SEP3 in Arabidopsis.
Main Methods:
- Creating a triple mutant of SEPALLATA1/2/3 genes in Arabidopsis.
- Cosuppression of the FBP2 gene in petunia.
- Analyzing the resulting floral phenotypes.
- Performing functional complementation assays.
- Investigating protein complex formation.
Main Results:
- A triple mutant of SEPALLATA genes in Arabidopsis showed homeotic conversions and loss of determinacy.
- Cosuppression of FBP2 in petunia resulted in a similar phenotype.
- This phenotype was linked to the downregulation of FBP2 and FBP5.
- FBP2 could functionally complement the Arabidopsis sepallata mutant.
- FBP2 protein forms complexes with other floral homeotic MADS box proteins.
Conclusions:
- Petunia genes FBP2 and FBP5 provide the E-function.
- FBP2 represents the equivalent of the E-function provided by SEP3 in Arabidopsis.
- These findings highlight the conserved role of E-function genes in flower development across species.
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Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
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