Ectopic expression of a single homeotic gene, the Petunia gene green petal, is sufficient to convert sepals to petaloid organs

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 (g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The EMBO journal 1994-03, Vol.13 (6), p.1443-1449
Main Authors: Halfter, U, Ali, N, Stockhaus, J, Ren, L, Chua, N.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
calyx
cell differentiation
Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids
corolla
DNA Primers
DNA-binding proteins
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
gene expression
Gene Expression Regulation
Genes, Homeobox
Genes, Plant
genetic transformation
Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution
gp gene
Molecular Sequence Data
organogenesis
Petunia
Phenotype
Plants
Pteridophyta, spermatophyta
structural genes
transcription factors
transgenic plants
Vegetals
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0261-4189
1460-2075
DOI:10.1002/j.1460-2075.1994.tb06398.x