title: Deficiens, a homeotic gene involved in the control of flower morphogenesis in Antirrhinum majus: the protein shows homology to transcription factors.
abstract: Deficiens (defA+) is a homeotic gene involved in the genetic control of Antirrhinum majus flower development. Mutation of this gene (defA-1) causes homeotic transformation of petals into sepals and of stamina into carpels in flowers displaying the 'globifera' phenotype, as shown by cross sections and scanning electronmicroscopy of developing flowers. A cDNA derived from the wild type defA+ gene has been cloned by differential screening of a subtracted 'flower specific' cDNA library. The identity of this cDNA with the defA+ gene product has been confirmed by utilizing the somatic and germinal instability of defA-1 mutants. According to Northern blot analyses the defA+ gene is expressed in flowers but not in leaves, and its expression is nearly constant during all stages of flower development. The 1.1 kb long mRNA has a 681 bp long open reading frame that can code for a putative protein of 227 amino acids (mol. wt 26.2 kd). At its N-terminus the DEF A protein reveals homology to a conserved domain of the regulatory proteins SRF (activating c-fos) in mammals and GRM/PRTF (regulating mating type) in yeast. We discuss the structure and the possible function of the DEF A protein in the control of floral organogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, Köln, FRG.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Beltrán
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huijser
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pape
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Lönnig
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saedler
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Schwarz-Sommer
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D026281:DEFICIENS Protein; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015723:Gene Library; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation; D010766:Phosphorylation; D063245:Plant Development; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D026281:DEFICIENS Protein; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA