The seirena B Class Floral Homeotic Mutant of California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) Reveals a Function of the Enigmatic PI Motif in the Formation of Specific Multimeric MADS Domain Protein Complexes

The products of B class floral homeotic genes specify petal and stamen identity, and loss of B function results in homeotic conversions of petals into sepals and stamens into carpels. Here, we describe the molecular characterization of seirena-1 (sei-1), a mutant from the basal eudicot California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) that shows homeotic changes characteristic of floral homeotic B class mutants. SEI has been previously described as EScaGLO, one of four B class–related MADS box genes in California poppy. The C terminus of SEI, including the highly conserved PI motif, is truncated in sei-1 proteins. Nevertheless, like the wild-type SEI protein, the sei-1 mutant protein is able to bind CArG-boxes and can form homodimers, heterodimers, and several higher order complexes with other MADS domain proteins. However, unlike the wild type, the mutant protein is not able to mediate higher order complexes consisting of specific B, C, and putative E class related proteins likely involved in specifying stamen identity. Within the PI motif, five highly conserved N-terminal amino acids are specifically required for this interaction. Several families lack this short conserved sequence, including the Brassicaceae, and we propose an evolutionary scenario to explain these functional differences.     

MOSAIC FLORAL ORGANS1, an AGL6-Like MADS Box Gene,Regulates Floral Organ Identity and Meristem Fate in Rice

Floral organ identity and meristem determinacy in plants are controlled by combinations of activities mediated by MADS box genes. AGAMOUS-LIKE6 (AGL6)-like genes are MADS box genes expressed in floral tissues, but their biological functions are mostly unknown. Here, we describe an AGL6-like gene in rice (Oryza sativa), MOSAIC FLORAL ORGANS1 (MFO1/MADS6), that regulates floral organ identity and floral meristem determinacy. In the flower of mfo1 mutants, the identities of palea and lodicule are disturbed, and mosaic organs were observed. Furthermore, the determinacy of the floral meristem was lost, and extra carpels or spikelets developed in mfo1 florets. The expression patterns of floral MADS box genes were disturbed in the mutant florets. Suppression of another rice AGL6-like gene, MADS17, caused no morphological abnormalities in the wild-type background, but it enhanced the phenotype in the mfo1 background, indicating that MADS17 has a minor but redundant function with that of MFO1. Whereas single mutants in either MFO1 or the SEPALLATA-like gene LHS1 showed moderate phenotypes, the mfo1 lhs1 double mutant showed a severe phenotype, including the loss of spikelet meristem determinacy. We propose that rice AGL6-like genes help to control floral organ identity and the establishment and determinacy of the floral meristem redundantly with LHS1.     

MADS box genes expressed in developing inflorescences of rice and sorghum

With the aim of elucidating the complex genetic system controlling flower morphogenesis in cereals, we have characterized two rice and two sorghum MADS box genes isolated from cDNA libraries made from developing inflorescences. The rice clones OsMADS24 and OsMADS45, which share high homology with the Arabidopsis AGL2 and AGL4 MADS box genes, are expressed in the floral meristem, in all the primordia, and in mature floral organs. High expression levels have also been found in developing kernels. The sorghum clone SbMADS1 is also homologous to AGL2 and AGL4: expression analysis and mapping data suggest that it is the ortholog of OsMADS24. The pattern of expression of SbMADS2, the other sorghum MADS box gene, suggests that it may play a role as a meristem identity gene, as does AP1 in Arabidopsis, to which it shows considerable homology. The four genes have been mapped on a rice RFLP genetic map: the results are discussed in terms of synteny among cereals. Received: 25 April 1996 / Accepted: 29 August 1996     

Over-expression of the Gerbera hybrida At-SOC1-like1 gene Gh-SOC1 leads to floral organ identity deterioration

Background and Aims

The family of MADS box genes is involved in a number of processes besides controlling floral development. In addition to supplying homeotic functions defined by the ABC model, they influence flowering time and transformation of vegetative meristem into inflorescence meristem, and have functions in roots and leaves. Three Gerbera hybrida At-SOC1-like genes (Gh-SOC1–Gh-SOC3) were identified among gerbera expressed sequence tags.

Methods

Evolutionary relationships between SOC1-like genes from gerbera and other plants were studied by phylogenetic analysis. The function of the gerbera gene Gh-SOC1 in gerbera floral development was studied using expression analysis, protein–protein interaction assays and reverse genetics. Transgenic gerbera lines over-expressing or downregulated for Gh-SOC1 were obtained using Agrobacterium transformation and investigated for their floral phenotype.

Key Results

Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the closest paralogues of At-SOC1 are Gh-SOC2 and Gh-SOC3. Gh-SOC1 is a more distantly related paralogue, grouping together with a number of other At-SOC1 paralogues from arabidopsis and other plant species. Gh-SOC1 is inflorescence abundant and no expression was seen in vegetative parts of the plant. Ectopic expression of Gh-SOC1 did not promote flowering, but disturbed the development of floral organs. The epidermal cells of ray flower petals appeared shorter and their shape was altered. The colour of ray flower petals differed from that of the wild-type petals by being darker red on the adaxial side and greenish on the abaxial surface. Several protein–protein interactions with other gerbera MADS domain proteins were identified.

Conclusions

The At-SOC1 paralogue in gerbera shows a floral abundant expression pattern. A late petal expression might indicate a role in the final stages of flower development. Over-expression of Gh-SOC1 led to partial loss of floral identity, but did not affect flowering time. Lines where Gh-SOC1 was downregulated did not show a phenotype. Several gerbera MADS domain proteins interacted with Gh-SOC1.     

Identification of Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase cytosolic class I as an NMH7 MADS domain associated protein

We are interested in identifying proteins that interact with the MADS domain protein NMH7 of Medicago sativa. We use an affinity column with a synthetic peptide derived from the MADS domain of NMH7 which has been reported to mediate protein-protein interaction with non-MADS domain interacting proteins. We identified ∼40 and ∼80 kDa specifically bound proteins as the monomeric and dimeric forms of Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase cytosolic class I. NiNTA pull down assays revealed that K- and C-terminus regions of NMH7 are not required for the interaction with aldolase. Aldolase enzymatic activity is not required for the interaction with NMH7. NMH7 and aldolase were coimmunoprecipitated from non-inoculated seed and seedlings extracts. Colocalization studies using confocal microscopy showed that aldolase and NMH7 are localized in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the cortical cells. These data together show that M. sativa aldolase is a novel MADS domain binding protein, and suggest a broader functional repertory for this enzyme, as has been proposed for other glycolytic enzymes.