Class D and B(sister) MADS-box genes are associated with ectopic ovule formation in the pistil-like stamens of alloplasmic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
Homeotic transformation of stamens into pistil-like structures (pistillody) has been reported in cytoplasmic substitution (alloplasmic) lines of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that have the cytoplasm of a related wild species, Aegilops crassa. An ectopic ovule differentiates in the pistil-like stamen in the alloplasmic wheat. The SEEDSTICK (STK)-like class D MADS-box gene, wheat STK (WSTK), was expressed in the primordia of ectopic ovules in the pistil-like stamens as well as in the true pistil, suggesting that ectopic ovule formation results from WSTK expression in the pistil-like stamens of alloplasmic wheat. The ectopic ovule is abnormal as it fails to form complete integuments. Based on the expression pattern of WSTK and B(sister) MADS-box gene, WBsis (wheat B ( sister )), we conclude that WSTK plays a role in determination of ovule identity in the pistil-like stamen, but complete ovule development fails due to aberrant expression of WBsis.
Yamada
Kaori
K
Department of Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, Japan.
Saraike
Tatsunori
T
Shitsukawa
Naoki
N
Hirabayashi
Chizuru
C
Takumi
Shigeo
S
Murai
Koji
K
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011058:Pollen / Q000502:physiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
D000199:Actins; D017931:DNA Primers; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins