Abstract
We report the discovery of an Antirrhinum MADS-box gene, FARINELLI (FAR), and the isolation of far mutants by a reverse genetic screen. Despite striking similarities between FAR and the class C MADS-box gene PLENA (PLE), the phenotypes of their respective mutants are dramatically different. Unlike ple mutants, which show homeotic conversion of reproductive organs to perianth organs and a loss of floral determinacy, far mutants have normal flowers which are partially male-sterile. Expression studies of PLE and FAR, in wild-type and mutant backgrounds, show complex interactions between the two genes. Double mutant analysis reveals an unexpected, redundant negative control over the B-function MADS-box genes. This feature of the two Antirrhinum C-function-like genes is markedly different from the control of the inner boundary of the B-function expression domain in Arabidopsis, and we propose and discuss a model to account for these differences. The difference in phenotypes of mutants in two highly related genes illustrates the importance of the position within the regulatory network in determining gene function.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Arabidopsis / chemistry
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Arabidopsis / genetics
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Cloning, Molecular
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DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Fertility
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Gene Expression
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
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Genes, Homeobox / genetics
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Genes, Plant / genetics
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Genes, Plant / physiology
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MADS Domain Proteins
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Models, Biological
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutagenesis, Insertional
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Mutation / genetics
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Nicotiana / genetics
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Phenotype
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Phylogeny
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Plant Proteins / chemistry
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Plant Proteins / genetics
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Plant Proteins / metabolism*
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Plant Structures / genetics
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Plant Structures / growth & development*
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Plant Structures / physiology
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Plants, Genetically Modified
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Plants, Toxic
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Transcription Factors / chemistry
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / metabolism*
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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FAR protein, Antirrhinum majus
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MADS Domain Proteins
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PLE protein, Antirrhinum majus
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Plant Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Transcription Factors