EcFLO, a FLORICAULA-like gene from Eschscholzia californica is expressed during organogenesis at the vegetative shoot apex.
FLORICAULA/ LEAFY-like genes were initially characterized as flower meristem identity genes. In a range of angiosperms, expression occurs also in vegetative shoot apices and developing leaves, and in some species with dissected leaves expression is perpetuated during organogenesis at the leaf marginal blastozone. The evolution of these expression patterns and associated functions is not well understood. We have isolated and characterized a FLORICAULA-like gene from California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica Cham. (Papaveraceae), a species belonging to the basal eudicot clade Ranunculales. EcFLO encodes a putative 416-amino-acid protein with highest similarity to homologous genes from Trochodendron and Platanus. We show that EcFLO mRNA is expressed during the vegetative phase of the shoot apical meristem and in developing dissected leaves in a characteristic manner. This pattern is compared to that of other eudicots and discussed in terms of evolution of FLORICAULA expression and function.
Busch
Andrea
A
Institut für Spezielle Botanik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Bentzelweg 9a, 55099 Mainz, Germany.
Gleissberg
Stefan
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D031675:Eschscholzia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D015347:RNA Probes; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D017931:DNA Primers; D010940:Plant Proteins; D015347:RNA Probes