Cloning and expression analysis of a Petunia hybrida flower specific mitotic-like cyclin

A cyclin cDNA clone (Pethy;CycB1;1) was isolated from a Petunia hybrida ovary specific cDNA library. Sequence comparison revealed that Pethy;CYCB1;1 protein is highly homologous to mitotic B1 cyclins. Northern analysis and in situ hybridisation experiments showed that its expression is developmentally regulated and restricted to flower organs. We have attempted to define some of the cell division patterns which contribute to shaping each floral organ by analysing Pethy;CycB1;1 expression on Petunia flower sections. While in sepals, epidermis and parenchyma cell division patterns were comparable, there were two distinct cell division patterns in petals. In the epidermis, Pethy;CYCB1;1 expression was found both at the petal tip and along epidermis, whereas in the parenchyma only at the petal tips. In reproductive organs cell divisions were detected only in sporophytic tissues. No signals were detected inside meiotic cells.