The BELL1 gene encodes a homeodomain protein involved in pattern formation in the Arabidopsis ovule primordium.
Ovule development in Arabidopsis involves the formation of three morphologically defined proximal-distal pattern elements. Integuments arise from the central pattern element. Analysis of Bell 1 (Bel 1) mutant ovules indicated that BEL1 was required for integument development. Cloning of the BEL1 locus reveals that it encodes a homeodomain transcription factor. Prior to integument initiation, BEL1 RNA localizes to the central domain, providing molecular evidence for a central pattern element. Therefore, proximal-distal patterning of the ovule involves the regulated expression of the BEL1 gene that controls integument morphogenesis. A model for BEL1 function is evaluated with regard to new data showing the expression pattern of the floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) early in wild-type and BEL1 ovule development.
Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA.
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L
Reiser
Z
Z
Modrusan
L
L
Margossian
A
A
Samach
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N
Ohad
G W
GW
Haughn
R L
RL
Fischer
D026342:AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D001483:Base Sequence; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
D026342:AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C097235:BEL1 protein, Arabidopsis; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018749:RNA, Plant; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors