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Characterization of Vitis vinifera L. somatic variants exhibiting abnormal flower development patterns
Philippe Chatelet1, Valérie Laucou, Lucie Fernandez
1INRA-UMR DAP, 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 01, France.
Journal of Experimental Botany
|November 29, 2007
Summary
Spontaneous grapevine somatic variants reveal genetic control of flower development. Gene expression analysis of Vitis vinifera mutants provides insights into floral organ formation and the ABCDE model.
Area of Science:
- Plant genetics
- Developmental biology
- Horticultural science
Background:
- Mutants are crucial for understanding gene function in plants.
- Generating and screening mutants in perennial species like grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is challenging.
- Spontaneous somatic variants offer a valuable alternative for studying complex traits in perennials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To morphologically and histologically characterize six Vitis vinifera L. somatic variants with abnormal flower development.
- To investigate the gene expression profiles of key VvMADS-box genes in these variants.
- To generate hypotheses regarding the genetic control of flower development in grapevine based on variant analysis.
Main Methods:
- Morphological and histological characterization of six Vitis vinifera L. somatic variants.
- Phenotypic classification into reiterated reproductive meristems (RRM), unfused carpels (UFC), carpel-less (CLS), and multiple perianth whorls (MPW).
- Quantitative gene expression analysis of VvMADS-box 1, 2, and 3 using RT-qPCR.
Main Results:
- Six somatic variants exhibiting four distinct abnormal flower phenotypes were identified and characterized.
- Specific variants displayed phenotypes such as reiterated reproductive meristems, unfused carpels, carpel-less development, and multiple perianth whorls.
- Altered expression profiles of VvMADS-box 1, 2, and 3 were observed in variants compared to their wild-type counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Somatic variants in Vitis vinifera provide insights into the genetic regulation of flower development.
- Alterations in VvMADS-box gene expression are associated with observed floral abnormalities.
- These findings contribute to understanding the ABCDE flower model in perennial plants.
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