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Identification of early targets of homeotic genes during floral organ development

Reference	BBS/E/J/0000A058
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Robert Sablowski
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	50,008
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	02/04/2002
End date	01/04/2004
Duration	24 months

Abstract

The morphogenesis of individual flowers is a genetically tractable model for pattern formation in plants. Based on genetic studies, the ABC model describes how three classes of homeotic genes act in discrete domains to specify the identity of floral organ types. All ABC genes encode transcription factors (in most cases from the MADS box family) so it is likely that they control sets of target genes required to form each type of organs. We have focus on the C-function gene AGAMOUS (AG) that has previously been shown to be required either alone or in combination with the B-function genes APETALA3/PISTILLATA (AP3/PI) to direct carpel and stamens formation. We generated a AG inducible system by making a fusion protein with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) domain. In this system the ag-3 mutant was complemented in a dexamethasone (dex) dependent manner. Rescue of reproductive organs by AG-GR however, only occurs in young early organs. To maximise the amount of early organs 35S::AG-GR containing plants was crossed into plants homozygous for the ap1 and cal1 mutations that shown a cauliflower phenotype. After steroid treatment fully functional carpels and stamens developed. We are currently using this system to identify changes in mRNA population after activation of AG-GR using cDNA arrays. Quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization is been used to validate preliminary results.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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