[Ectopic expression of the PnANTL1 and PnANTL2 black poplar genes in transgenic tobacco plants].

ABSTRACT

Four putative orthologs of the AINTEGUMENTA gene were found in the poplar (Populus trichocarpa) genome. Two of them, which we called PnANTL1 and PnANTL2, were isolated from black poplar (Populus nigra L.) and transgenic tobacco plants were generated on their basis. Tobacco plants that were transgenic for the PnANTL1 gene were characterized by increased leaf length, smaller flower size, and different defects in the development of the corolla and stamens. Tobacco plants that were transgenic for the PnANTL2 gene were characterized by an increased length of leaves and larger flowers. The increase in the leaf size in all transgenic plants was determined by stimulation of cell expansion; the number of cells was even reduced in the case of the PnANTL1 gene. Ectopic expression of the PnANTL1 and PnANTL2 genes promoted an increase in the level of mRNA of some tobacco expansins. The data we obtained demonstrate the involvement of transcription factors of the AP2 subfamily in the regulation of cell expansion.