title: Cloning and characterization of a novel PI-like MADS-box gene in Phalaenopsis orchid.
abstract: The specification of floral organ identity during development depends on the function of a limited number of homeotic genes, which are grouped into three classes. Most of these genes belong to the MADS-box gene family. The PISTILLATA (PI) family of MADS-box genes plays important roles in controlling the development of the petal and stamen of flowering plants. In an attempt to understand the molecular mechanisms behind floral development in the orchid, a MADS-box gene, PhPI10 was cloned from Phalaenopsis orchid. We provide phylogenetic evidence that PhPI10 is closely related to PI-like genes of angiosperms, which are required for establishing petal and stamen identity. In addition, there is a PI-motif in the C-terminal of the putative amino acid sequence of PhPI10. Southern analysis showed that a single copy of PhPI10 was present in the Phalaenopsis orchid genome. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that its transcription was only detectable in the top of the floral bud and undetectable in other vegetative organs. In the floral organs its expression was limited to the lip of the Phalaenopsis flower.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Institute of Genetics, Research Center of Gene Diversity and Designed Agriculture, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jinlei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Donghong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Daleng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ming
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D035264:Flowers / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics*; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D029595:Orchidaceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D026161:MADS Domain Proteins