Molecular and Phylogenetic Analyses of the Complete MADS-Box Transcription Factor Family in Arabidopsis: New Openings to the MADS World

• Published in: The Plant cell 2003-07, Vol.15 (7), p.1538-1551
• Main Authors: Par̆enicová, Lucie, de Folter, Stefan, Kieffer, Martin, Horner, David S., Favalli, Cristina, Busscher, Jacqueline, Cook, Holly E., Ingram, Richard M., Kater, Martin M., Davies, Brendan, Angenent, Gerco C., Colombo, Lucia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Motifs - genetics; Amino acids; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis - metabolism; Arabidopsis Proteins - genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins - metabolism; architecture; Chromosomes, Plant - genetics; controlling flower development; dna; DNA, Complementary - chemistry; DNA, Complementary - genetics; domain protein; gene; Gene Duplication; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes; Genome, Plant; Genomes; homeotic proteins apetala1; In Situ Hybridization; Introns; MADS Domain Proteins - genetics; MADS Domain Proteins - metabolism; Molecular Sequence Data; Multigene Family - genetics; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; pistillata; Plants; Proteins; Rice; RNA; RNA, Plant - genetics; RNA, Plant - metabolism; sequence; Sequence Analysis, DNA; serum response factor; thaliana; Transcription factors
• ISSN: 1040-4651; 1532-298X
• DOI: 10.1105/tpc.011544

MADS-box transcription factors are key regulators of several plant development processes. Analysis of the complete Arabidopsis genome sequence revealed 107 genes encoding MADS-box proteins, of which 84% are of unknown function. Here, we provide a complete overview of this family, describing the gene structure, gene expression, genome localization, protein motif organization, and phylogenetic relationship of each member. We have divided this transcription factor family into five groups (named MIKC, Mα, Mβ, Mγ, and Mδ) based on the phylogenetic relationships of the conserved MADS-box domain. This study provides a solid base for functional genomics studies into this important family of plant regulatory genes, including the poorly characterized group of M-type MADS-box proteins. MADS-box genes also constitute an excellent system with which to study the evolution of complex gene families in higher plants.