Novel marker genes for early leaf development indicate spatial regulation of carbohydrate metabolism within the apical meristem.
To identify genes expressed at the earliest stages of leaf development, we have performed a differential display analysis using portions of meristems destined to form leaves. Our analysis led to the identification of five genes showing an asymmetric pattern of gene expression within the meristem associated with leaf formation. Surprisingly, three of these genes encoded enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism (ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase, sucrose synthase and an SNF1-like kinase). Furthermore, specific transcript patterns were responsive to specific sugar and hormonal treatments. The other two genes identified encoded a Phantastica-like myb transcription factor (associated with the acquisition of leaf dorsiventrality) and CYP85 (a cytochrome P450, which plays a pivotal role in brassinolide metabolism). These data, firstly, identify a novel set of marker genes for the analysis of the earliest stages of leaf formation. Secondly, the function of the proteins encoded by these genes and their expression patterns within the meristem indicate that carbohydrate metabolism is spatially regulated within a tissue involved in key developmental processes. Finally, our data provide the first indication of an asymmetry in gene expression related to hormone biosynthesis in the meristem.
Pien
S
S
Institute of Plant Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Zürich), Universitätsstrasse 2 (LFW D48), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
Wyrzykowska
J
J
Fleming
A J
AJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers; D051599:Glucose-1-Phosphate Adenylyltransferase; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018519:Meristem / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009713:Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020598:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; D020598:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb; D018749:RNA, Plant; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C022699:sucrose synthase; C071570:SNF1-related protein kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D009713:Nucleotidyltransferases; D051599:Glucose-1-Phosphate Adenylyltransferase