Genome-wide analysis of the MADS-box gene family in Lonicera japonica and a proposed floral organ identity model.

BACKGROUND: Lonicera japonica Thunb. is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Medicinal L. japonica mainly consists of dried flower buds and partially opened flowers, thus flowers are an important quality indicator. MADS-box genes encode transcription factors that regulate flower development. However, little is known about these genes in L. japonica. RESULTS: In this study, 48 MADS-box genes were identified in L. japonica, including 20 Type-I genes (8 Mα, 2 Mß, and 10 Mγ) and 28 Type-II genes (26 MIKCc and 2 MIKC*). The Type-I and Type-II genes differed significantly in gene structure, conserved domains, protein structure, chromosomal distribution, phylogenesis, and expression pattern. Type-I genes had a simpler gene structure, lacked the K domain, had low protein structure conservation, were tandemly distributed on the chromosomes, had more frequent lineage-specific duplications, and were expressed at low levels. In contrast, Type-II genes had a more complex gene structure; contained conserved M, I, K, and C domains; had highly conserved protein structure; and were expressed at high levels throughout the flowering period. Eleven floral homeotic MADS-box genes that are orthologous to the proposed Arabidopsis ABCDE model of floral organ identity determination, were identified in L. japonica. By integrating expression pattern and protein interaction data for these genes, we developed a possible model for floral organ identity determination. CONCLUSION: This study genome-widely identified and characterized the MADS-box gene family in L. japonica. Eleven floral homeotic MADS-box genes were identified and a possible model for floral organ identity determination was also developed. This study contributes to our understanding of the MADS-box gene family and its possible involvement in floral organ development in L. japonica.

Distance-based measurement determines the coexistence of B protein hetero- and homodimers in lily tepal and stamen tetrameric complexes.

The floral quartet model proposes that plant MADS box proteins function as higher order tetrameric complexes. However, in planta evidence for MADS box tetramers remains scarce. Here, we applied a strategy using in vivo fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based on the distance change and distance symmetry of stable tetrameric complexes in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaf cells to improve the accuracy of the estimation of heterotetrameric complex formation. This measuring system precisely verified the stable state of Arabidopsis petal (AP3/PI/SEP3/AP1) and stamen (AP3/PI/SEP3/AG) complexes and showed that the lily (Lilium longiflorum) PI co-orthologs LMADS8 and LMADS9 likely formed heterotetrameric petal complexes with Arabidopsis AP3/SEP3/AP1, which rescued petal defects of pi mutants. However, L8/L9 did not form heterotetrameric stamen complexes with Arabidopsis AP3/SEP3/AG to rescue the stamen defects of the pi mutants. Importantly, this system was applied successfully to find complicated tepal and stamen heterotetrameric complexes in lily. We found that heterodimers of B function AP3/PI orthologs (L1/L8) likely coexist with the homodimers of PI orthologs (L8/L8, L9/L9) to form five (two most stable and three stable) tepal- and four (one most stable and three stable) stamen-related heterotetrameric complexes with A/E and C/E function proteins in lily. Among these combinations, L1 preferentially interacted with L8 to form the most stable heterotetrameric complexes, and the importance of the L8/L8 and L9/L9 homodimers in tepal/stamen formation in lily likely decreased to a minor part during evolution. The system provides substantial improvements for successfully estimating the existence of unknown tetrameric complexes in plants.

Polycomb proteins control floral determinacy by H3K27me3-mediated repression of pluripotency genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Polycomb group (PcG) protein-mediated histone methylation (H3K27me3) controls the correct spatiotemporal expression of numerous developmental regulators in Arabidopsis. Epigenetic silencing of the stem cell factor gene WUSCHEL (WUS) in floral meristems (FMs) depends on H3K27me3 deposition by PcG proteins. However, the role of H3K27me3 in silencing of other meristematic regulator and pluripotency genes during FM determinacy has not yet been studied. To this end, we report the genome-wide dynamics of H3K27me3 levels during FM arrest and the consequences of strongly depleted PcG activity on early flower morphogenesis including enlarged and indeterminate FMs. Strong depletion of H3K27me3 levels results in misexpression of the FM identity gene AGL24, which partially causes floral reversion leading to ap1-like flowers and indeterminate FMs ectopically expressing WUS and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM). Loss of STM can rescue supernumerary floral organs and FM indeterminacy in H3K27me3-deficient flowers, indicating that the hyperactivity of the FMs is at least partially a result of ectopic STM expression. Nonetheless, WUS remained essential for the FM activity. Our results demonstrate that PcG proteins promote FM determinacy at multiple levels of the floral gene regulatory network, silencing initially floral regulators such as AGL24 that promotes FM indeterminacy and, subsequently, meristematic pluripotency genes such as WUS and STM during FM arrest.

Draft genome of Korthalsia laciniosa (Griff.) Mart., a climbing rattan elucidates its phylogenetic position.

Korthalsia laciniosa (Griff.) Mart. is a climbing rattan used as a source of durable and flexible cane. In the present study, the draft genome of K. laciniosa was sequenced, de novo assembled and annotated. Genome-wide identification of MADS-Box transcription factors revealed loss of Mß, and Mγ genes belonging to Type I subclass in the rattan lineage. Mining of the genome revealed presence of 13 families of lignin biosynthetic pathway genes and expression profiling of nine major genes documented relatively lower level of expression in cirrus when compared to leaflet and petiole. The chloroplast genome was re-constructed and analysis revealed the phylogenetic relatedness of this genus to Eugeissona, in contrast with its present taxonomic position. The genomic resource generated in the present study will accelerate population structure analysis, genetic resource conservation, phylogenomics and facilitate understanding the unique developmental processes like gender expression at molecular level.

De Novo Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Flowering-Related Genes That Potentially Contribute to Flowering-Time Control in the Japanese Cultivated Gentian Gentiana triflora.

Japanese cultivated gentians are perennial plants that flower in early summer to late autumn in Japan, depending on the cultivar. Several flowering-related genes, including GtFT1 and GtTFL1, are known to be involved in regulating flowering time, but many such genes remain unidentified. In this study, we obtained transcriptome profiling data using the Gentiana triflora cultivar 'Maciry', which typically flowers in late July. We conducted deep RNA sequencing analysis using gentian plants grown under natural field conditions for three months before flowering. To investigate diurnal changes, the plants were sampled at 4 h intervals over 24 h. Using these transcriptome data, we determined the expression profiles of leaves based on homology searches against the Flowering-Interactive Database of Arabidopsis. In particular, we focused on transcription factor genes, belonging to the BBX and MADS-box families, and analyzed their developmental and diurnal variation. The expression levels of representative BBX genes were also analyzed under long- and short-day conditions using in-vitro-grown seedlings, and the expression patterns of some BBX genes differed. Clustering analysis revealed that the transcription factor genes were coexpressed with GtFT1. Overall, these expression profiles will facilitate further analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying the control of flowering time in gentians.

Identification and expression analysis of the MADS-box genes of Kentucky bluegrass during inflorescence development.

MADS-box genes play vital roles in multiple biological processes of plants growth and development, especially inflorescence development. In the present study, a comprehensive investigation into the identification and classification of MADS-box genes in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) has not been reported. Here, based on the transcriptome of inflorescence, we identified 44 PpMADS-box genes, and gave an overview of the physicochemical properties, phylogeny, protein structures, and potential functions of the proteins encoded by these genes through various bioinformatics software for the first time. Analysis of physicochemical properties revealed that most PpMADS-box were alkaline proteins and possessed similar conserved motifs. Additionally, it was demonstrated that 33 PpMADS-box proteins without signal peptide, leading peptide, transmembrane structure and located in the nucleus were not transported or secreted, so directly played transcriptional regulatory roles in the nucleus. Then, peptide sequences BLAST search and analysis of phylogenetic relationships with MADS-box proteins of P. pratensis, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa were performed. It was found that 44 PpMADS-box proteins were separated into 33 MIKC-type (3 BS, 1 AGL17, 8 AP3/P2, 3 AP1, 5 SEP, 6 SOC and 7 AG genes, respectvely) and 11 type I-type, which include 7 Mγ and 4 Mα. Furthermore, the relative expression levels of the selected 12 genes (MADS3, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 24, 27, 30, 36, 38 and 40) at the booting stage, pre-anthesis, anthesis, post-anthesis, and seed filling stage of inflorescences, as well as leaves and roots of the corresponding stages of inflorescences were analyzed, showing that most PpMADS-box genes were highly expressed mainly in young leaves and later inflorescences, and had complex patters in roots. Morever, except for PpMADS30 being highly expressed in the leaves, others were significantly highly expressed in inflorescence and/ or roots, demonstrating PpMADS-box genes also regulate leaves and roots development in plant. This study provides valuable insights into the MADS-box family genes in Kentucky bluegrass and its potential functional characteristics, expression pattern, and evolution in floral organogenesis and even reproduction development. @media print { .ms-editor-squiggler { display:none !important; } } .ms-editor-squiggler { all: initial; display: block !important; height: 0px !important; width: 0px !important; }. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01216-1.

Genome-wide identification of the MADS-box transcription factor family in autotetraploid cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and expression analysis under abiotic stress.

BACKGROUND: Alfalfa, the "queen of forage", is the most extensively cultivated forage legume in the world. The development and yield of alfalfa are seriously limited by abiotic stress. MADS-box transcription factors are one of the largest gene families and play a pivotal role in plant development and abiotic stress. However, little is known regarding the MADS-box transcription factors in autotetraploid cultivated alfalfa. RESULTS: In the present study, we identified 120 MsMADS-box genes in the alfalfa genome. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that 75 type-I MsMADS-box genes were classified into the Mα, Mß, and Mγ subgroups, and 45 type-II MsMADS-box genes were classified into 11 subgroups. The promoter region of MsMADS-box genes containing several hormone and stress related elements. Chromosomal location analysis revealed that 117 MsMADS-box genes were unevenly distributed on 32 chromosomes, and the remaining three genes were located on unmapped scaffolds. A total of nine pairs of segmental duplications and four groups of tandem duplications were found. Expression analysis showed that MsMADS-box genes were differentially expressed in various tissues and under abiotic stresses. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression profiles of eight selected MsMADS-box genes were distinct under various stresses. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, MsMADS-box genes were identified in the cultivated alfalfa genome based on autotetraploid level, and further confirmed by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, phylogenetic analysis, sequence features and expression analysis. Taken together, these findings will provide clues for further study of MsMADS-box functions and alfalfa molecular breeding. Our study is the first to systematically identify and characterize the MADS-box transcription factors in autotetraploid cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and eight MsMADS-box genes were significantly involved in response to various stresses.

Ppd-H1 integrates drought stress signals to control spike development and flowering time in barley.

Drought impairs growth and spike development, and is therefore a major cause of yield losses in the temperate cereals barley and wheat. Here, we show that the photoperiod response gene PHOTOPERIOD-H1 (Ppd-H1) interacts with drought stress signals to modulate spike development. We tested the effects of a continuous mild and a transient severe drought stress on developmental timing and spike development in spring barley cultivars with a natural mutation in ppd-H1 and derived introgression lines carrying the wild-type Ppd-H1 allele from wild barley. Mild drought reduced the spikelet number and delayed floral development in spring cultivars but not in the introgression lines with a wild-type Ppd-H1 allele. Similarly, drought-triggered reductions in plant height, and tiller and spike number were more pronounced in the parental lines compared with the introgression lines. Transient severe stress halted growth and floral development; upon rewatering, introgression lines, but not the spring cultivars, accelerated development so that control and stressed plants flowered almost simultaneously. These genetic differences in development were correlated with a differential down-regulation of the flowering promotors FLOWERING LOCUS T1 and the BARLEY MADS-box genes BM3 and BM8. Our findings therefore demonstrate that Ppd-H1 affects developmental plasticity in response to drought in barley.

Comparative anatomy and genetic bases of fruit development in selected Rubiaceae (Gentianales).

PREMISE: The Rubiaceae are ideal for studying the diversity of fruits that develop from flowers with inferior ovary. We aimed to identify morpho-anatomical changes during fruit development that distinguish those derived from the carpel versus the extra-carpellary tissues. In addition, we present the fruit genetic core regulatory network in selected Rubiaceae species and compare it in terms of copy number and expression patterns to model core eudicots in the Brassicaceae and the Solanaceae. METHODS: We used light microscopy to follow morphoanatomical changes in four selected species with different fruit types. We generated reference transcriptomes for seven selected Rubiaceae species and isolated homologs of major transcription factors involved in fruit development histogenesis, assessed their homology, identified conserved and new protein motifs, and evaluated their expression in three species with different fruit types. RESULTS: Our studies revealed ovary-derived pericarp tissues versus floral-cup-derived epicarp tissues. Gene evolution analyses of FRUITFULL, SHATTERPROOF, ALCATRAZ, INDEHISCENT and REPLUMLESS homologs suggest that the gene complement in Rubiaceae is simpler compared to that in Brassicaceae or Solanaceae. Expression patterns of targeted genes vary in response to the fruit type and the developmental stage evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Morphologically similar fruits can have different anatomies as a result of convergent tissues developed from the epicarps covering the anatomical changes from the pericarps. Expression analyses suggest that the fruit patterning regulatory network established in model core eudicots cannot be extrapolated to asterids with inferior ovaries.

Identification and Characterization of MIKCc-Type MADS-Box Genes in the Flower Organs of Adonis amurensis.

Adonis amurensis is a perennial herbaceous flower that blooms in early spring in northeast China, where the night temperature can drop to -15 °C. To understand flowering time regulation and floral organogenesis of A. amurensis, the MIKCc-type MADS (Mcm1/Agamous/ Deficiens/Srf)-box genes were identified and characterized from the transcriptomes of the flower organs. In this study, 43 non-redundant MADS-box genes (38 MIKCc, 3 MIKC*, and 2 Mα) were identified. Phylogenetic and conserved motif analysis divided the 38 MIKCc-type genes into three major classes: ABCDE model (including AP1/FUL, AP3/PI, AG, STK, and SEPs/AGL6), suppressor of overexpression of constans1 (SOC1), and short vegetative phase (SVP). qPCR analysis showed that the ABCDE model genes were highly expressed mainly in flowers and differentially expressed in the different tissues of flower organs, suggesting that they may be involved in the flower organ identity of A. amurensis. Subcellular localization revealed that 17 full-length MADSs were mainly localized in the nucleus: in Arabidopsis, the heterologous expression of three full-length SOC1-type genes caused early flowering and altered the expression of endogenous flowering time genes. Our analyses provide an overall insight into MIKCc genes in A. amurensis and their potential roles in floral organogenesis and flowering time regulation.

Re"CYC"ling molecular regulators in the evolution and development of flower symmetry.

Flower forms are both highly diverse and multifaceted. As well as varying in colour, size, organ number, and much more, flowers show different types of symmetry. Floral symmetry can be grouped into three main categories: asymmetry, bilateral symmetry and radial symmetry, characterised by zero, one, and multiple planes of symmetry, respectively. This review will first explore floral symmetry from a classical morphological view, then from a modern molecular perspective. The recent molecular work on symmetry in monocots and eudicots will be discussed, followed by an in-depth discussion into the evolution of CYC genes, particularly in the capitulum of the sunflower family (Asteraceae). Whilst recent studies on non-model species are helping to bring new light to this field, more species coverage is required to understand how traits such as bilateral symmetry have evolved so many times, and whether the same molecular regulators were recruited for this function.

Analysis of MADS-box genes revealed modified flowering gene network and diurnal expression in pineapple.

BACKGROUND: Pineapple is the most important crop with CAM photosynthesis, but its molecular biology is underexplored. MADS-box genes are crucial transcription factors involving in plant development and several biological processes. However, there is no systematic analysis of MADS-box family genes in pineapple (Ananas comosus). RESULTS: Forty-eight MADS-box genes were identified in the pineapple genome. Based on the phylogenetic studies, pineapple MADS-box genes can be divided into type I and type II MADS-box genes. Thirty-four pineapple genes were classified as type II MADS-box genes including 32 MIKC-type and 2 Mδ-type, while 14 type I MADS-box genes were further divided into Mα, Mß and Mγ subgroups. A majority of pineapple MADS-box genes were randomly distributed across 19 chromosomes. RNA-seq expression patterns of MADS-box genes in four different tissues revealed that more genes were highly expressed in flowers, which was confirmed by our quantitative RT-PCR results. There is no FLC and CO orthologs in pineapple. The loss of FLC and CO orthologs in pineapple indicated that modified flowering genes network in this tropical plant compared with Arabidopsis. The expression patterns of MADS-box genes in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic leaf tissues indicated the potential roles of some MADS-box genes in pineapple CAM photosynthesis. The 23% of pineapple MADS-box genes showed diurnal rhythm, indicating that these MADS-box genes are regulated by circadian clock. CONCLUSIONS: MADS-box genes identified in pineapple are closely related to flowering development. Some MADS-box genes are involved in CAM photosynthesis and regulated by the circadian clock. These findings will facilitate research on the development of unusual spiral inflorescences on pineapple fruit and CAM photosynthesis.

Identification, characterization and functional analysis of AGAMOUS subfamily genes associated with floral organs and seed development in Marigold (Tagetes erecta).

BACKGROUND: AGAMOUS (AG) subfamily genes regulate the floral organs initiation and development, fruit and seed development. At present, there has been insufficient study of the function of AG subfamily genes in Asteraceae. Marigold (Tagetes erecta) belongs to Asteraceae family whose unique inflorescence structure makes it an important research target for understanding floral organ development in plants. RESULTS: Four AG subfamily genes of marigold were isolated and phylogenetically grouped into class C (TeAG1 and TeAG2) and class D (TeAGL11-1 and TeAGL11-2) genes. Expression profile analysis demonstrated that these four genes were highly expressed in reproductive organs of marigold. Subcellular localization analysis suggested that all these four proteins were located in the nucleus. Protein-protein interactions analysis indicated that class C proteins had a wider interaction manner than class D proteins. Function analysis of ectopic expression in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that TeAG1 displayed a C function specifying the stamen identity and carpel identity, and that TeAGL11-1 exhibited a D function regulating seed development and petal development. In addition, overexpression of both TeAG1 and TeAGL11-1 leaded to curling rosette leaf and early flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an insight into molecular mechanism of AG subfamily genes in Asteraceae species and technical support for improvement of several floral traits.

Genome-wide analysis of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in wheat: pervasive duplications, functional conservation and putative neofunctionalization.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Given a growing global population coupled with increasingly challenging cultivation conditions, facilitating wheat breeding by fine-tuning important traits is of great importance. MADS-box genes are prime candidates for this, as they are involved in virtually all aspects of plant development. Here, we present a detailed overview of phylogeny and expression of 201 wheat MIKC-type MADS-box genes. Homoeolog retention is significantly above the average genome-wide retention rate for wheat genes, indicating that many MIKC-type homoeologs are functionally important and not redundant. Gene expression is generally in agreement with the expected subfamily-specific expression pattern, indicating broad conservation of function of MIKC-type genes during wheat evolution. We also found extensive expansion of some MIKC-type subfamilies, especially those potentially involved in adaptation to different environmental conditions like flowering time genes. Duplications are especially prominent in distal telomeric regions. A number of MIKC-type genes show novel expression patterns and respond, for example, to biotic stress, pointing towards neofunctionalization. We speculate that conserved, duplicated and neofunctionalized MIKC-type genes may have played an important role in the adaptation of wheat to a diversity of conditions, hence contributing to the importance of wheat as a global staple food.

Variation for heterodimerization and nuclear localization among known and novel oil palm SHELL alleles.

Oil palm breeding involves crossing dura and pisifera palms to produce tenera progeny with greatly improved oil yield. Oil yield is controlled by variant alleles of a type II MADS-box gene, SHELL, that impact the presence and thickness of the endocarp, or shell, surrounding the fruit kernel. We identified six novel SHELL alleles in noncommercial African germplasm populations from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. These populations provide extensive diversity to harness genetic, mechanistic and phenotypic variation associated with oil yield in a globally critical crop. We investigated phenotypes in heteroallelic combinations, as well as SHELL heterodimerization and subcellular localization by yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and gene expression analyses. Four novel SHELL alleles were associated with fruit form phenotype. Candidate heterodimerization partners were identified, and interactions with EgSEP3 and subcellular localization were SHELL allele-specific. Our findings reveal allele-specific mechanisms by which variant SHELL alleles impact yield, as well as speculative insights into the potential role of SHELL in single-gene oil yield heterosis. Future field trials for combinability and introgression may further optimize yield and improve sustainability.

Seed abscission and fruit dehiscence required for seed dispersal rely on similar genetic networks.

Seed dispersal is an essential trait that enables colonization of new favorable habitats, ensuring species survival. In plants with dehiscent fruits, such as Arabidopsis, seed dispersal depends on two processes: the separation of the fruit valves that protect the seeds (fruit dehiscence) and the detachment of the seeds from the funiculus connecting them to the mother plant (seed abscission). The key factors required to establish a proper lignin pattern for fruit dehiscence are SHATTERPROOF 1 and 2 (SHP1 and SHP2). Here, we demonstrate that the SHP-related gene SEEDSTICK (STK) is a key factor required to establish the proper lignin pattern in the seed abscission zone but in an opposite way. We show that STK acts as a repressor of lignin deposition in the seed abscission zone through the direct repression of HECATE3, whereas the SHP proteins promote lignin deposition in the valve margins by activating INDEHISCENT. The interaction of STK with the SEUSS co-repressor determines the difference in the way STK and SHP proteins control the lignification patterns. Despite this difference in the molecular control of lignification during seed abscission and fruit dehiscence, we show that the genetic networks regulating these two developmental pathways are highly conserved.

Genome wide analysis of MADS-box gene family in Brassica oleracea reveals conservation and variation in flower development.

BACKGROUND: MADS-box genes play important roles in vegetative growth and reproductive development and are essential for the correct development of plants (particularly inflorescences, flowers, and fruits). However, this gene family has not been identified nor their functions analyzed in Brassica oleracea. RESULTS: In this study, we performed a whole-genome survey of the complete set of MADS-box genes in B. oleracea. In total, 91 MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) were identified and categorized as type I (Mα, Mß, Mγ) and type II (MIKCC, MIKC*) groups according to the phylogeny and gene structure analysis. Among these genes, 59 were randomly distributed on 9 chromosomes, while the other 23 were assigned to 19 scaffolds and 9 genes from NCBI had no location information. Both RNA-sequencing and quantitative real-time-PCR analysis suggested that MIKC genes had more active and complex expression patterns than M type genes and most type II genes showed high flowering-related expression profiles. Additional quantitative real-time-PCR analysis of pedicel and four flower whorls revealed that the structure of the B.oleracea MIKC genes was conserved, but their homologues showed variable expression patterns compared to those in Arabidopsis thaliana. CONCLUSION: This paper gives a detailed overview of the BolMADS genes and their expression patterns. The results obtained in this study provide useful information for understanding the molecular regulation of flower development and further functional characterization of MADS-box genes in B. oleracea.

MADS-box genes underground becoming mainstream: plant root developmental mechanisms.

Plant growth is largely post-embryonic and depends on meristems that are active throughout the lifespan of an individual. Developmental patterns rely on the coordinated spatio-temporal expression of different genes, and the activity of transcription factors is particularly important during most morphogenetic processes. MADS-box genes constitute a transcription factor family in eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis, their proteins participate in all major aspects of shoot development, but their role in root development is still not well characterized. In this review we synthetize current knowledge pertaining to the function of MADS-box genes highly expressed in roots: XAL1, XAL2, ANR1 and AGL21, as well as available data for other MADS-box genes expressed in this organ. The role of Trithorax group and Polycomb group complexes on MADS-box genes' epigenetic regulation is also discussed. We argue that understanding the role of MADS-box genes in root development of species with contrasting architectures is still a challenge. Finally, we propose that MADS-box genes are key components of the gene regulatory networks that underlie various gene expression patterns, each one associated with the distinct developmental fates observed in the root. In the case of XAL1 and XAL2, their role within these networks could be mediated by regulatory feedbacks with auxin.

Identification and expression profiling of selected MADS-box family genes in Dendrobium officinale.

Dendrobium officinale, a herb with highly medicinal and ornamental value, is widely distributed in China. MADS-box genes encode transcription factors that regulate various growth and developmental processes in plants, particular in flowering. However, the MADS-box genes in D. officinale are largely unknown. In our study, expression profiling analyses of selected MADS-box genes in D. officinale were performed. In total, 16 DnMADS-box genes with full-length ORF were identified and named according to their phylogenetic relationships with model plants. The transient expression of eight selected MADS-box genes in the epidermal cells of tobacco leaves showed that these DnMADS-box proteins localized to the nucleus. Tissue-specific expression analysis pointed out eight flower-specific expressed MADS-box genes in D. officinale. Furthermore, expression patterns of DnMADS-box genes were investigated during the floral transition process. DnMADS3, DnMADS8 and DnMADS22 were significantly up-regulated in the reproductive phase compared with the vegetative phase, suggesting putative roles of these DnMADS-box genes in flowering. Our data showed that the expressions of MADS-box genes in D. officinale were controlled by diverse exogenous phytohormones. Together, these findings will facilitate further studies of MADS-box genes in Orchids and broaden our understanding of the genetics of flowering.

Genetic and Molecular Control of Floral Organ Identity in Cereals.

Grasses represent a major family of monocots comprising mostly cereals. When compared to their eudicot counterparts, cereals show a remarkable morphological diversity. Understanding the molecular basis of floral organ identity and inflorescence development is crucial to gain insight into the grain development for yield improvement purposes in cereals, however, the exact genetic mechanism of floral organogenesis remains elusive due to their complex inflorescence architecture. Extensive molecular analyses of Arabidopsis and other plant genera and species have established the ABCDE floral organ identity model. According to this model, hierarchical combinatorial activities of A, B, C, D, and E classes of homeotic genes regulate the identity of different floral organs with partial conservation and partial diversification between eudicots and cereals. Here, we review the developmental role of A, B, C, D, and E gene classes and explore the recent advances in understanding the floral development and subsequent organ specification in major cereals with reference to model plants. Furthermore, we discuss the evolutionary relationships among known floral organ identity genes. This comparative overview of floral developmental genes and associated regulatory factors, within and between species, will provide a thorough understanding of underlying complex genetic and molecular control of flower development and floral organ identity, which can be helpful to devise innovative strategies for grain yield improvement in cereals.