Transposon induced chimeras show that floricaula, a meristem identity gene, acts non-autonomously between cell layers.
Flower meristems comprise several distinct cell layers. To understand the role of cell interactions between and within these layers, we have generated plants chimeric for a key floral homeotic gene, floricaula (flo). These chimeras arose in Antirrhinum by excision of a transposon, restoring flo gene function. Activity of flo in a subset of cell layers gives fertile flowers with an abnormal morphology. This shows that flo can act non-autonomously between layers, although some aspects of its function are impaired. In addition, we show that flo exhibits some cell-autonomy within layers.
Carpenter
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John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
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D002450:Cell Communication; D002678:Chimera; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D017343:Genes, Plant; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements