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Induced ovule-to-flower switch by interfering with SlIMA activity in tomato
N Bollier1, A Sicard1, N Gonzalez1
1a UMR1332 BFP, INRA , University of Bordeaux , Bordeaux , France.
Plant Signaling & Behavior
|June 27, 2018
Summary
INHIBITOR OF MERISTEM ACTIVITY (IMA) and MINI ZINC FINGER 2 (MIF2) proteins regulate flower and ovule development by repressing floral stem cell genes. This conserved function involves a complex that targets the WUSCHEL locus.
Area of Science:
- Plant developmental biology
- Molecular genetics
- Transcriptional regulation
Background:
- MINI ZINC FINGER (MIF) proteins, including SlIMA and AtMIF2, regulate floral and ovule development.
- MIF proteins feature a unique zinc-finger domain enabling protein interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conserved role of SlIMA and AtMIF2 in terminating floral stem cell maintenance.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism involving protein complex formation and target gene repression.
Main Methods:
- Generation and analysis of gain- and loss-of-function transgenic lines in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Investigating protein interactions and transcriptional repression of the WUSCHEL locus.
- Characterization of dominant-negative SlIMA mutant phenotypes.
Main Results:
- SlIMA and AtMIF2 are induced by AGAMOUS (AG) and function in floral stem cell termination.
- A complex of SlIMA/AtMIF2, KNUCKLES (KNU), TOPLESS (TPL), and HISTONE DEACETYLASE19 (HDA19) represses the WUSCHEL (WUS) locus.
- A dominant-negative SlIMA form (SlIMAch) caused ovule-to-floral meristem conversion.
Conclusions:
- SlIMA and AtMIF2 play a conserved role in repressing floral stem cell maintenance via the WUS locus.
- The identified protein complex is crucial for precise flower and ovule development.
- Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into plant reproductive development.
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