title: The Bsister MADS gene FST determines ovule patterning and development of the zygotic embryo and endosperm.
abstract: Many homeotic MADS-box genes have been identified as controllers of the floral transition and floral development. However, information regarding Bsister (Bs)-function genes in monocots is still limited. Here, we describe the functional characterization of a Bs-group MADS-box gene FEMALE-STERILE (FST), whose frame-shift mutation (fst) results in abnormal ovules and the complete abortion of zygotic embryos and endosperms in rice. Anatomical analysis showed that the defective development in the fst mutant exclusively occurred in sporophytic tissues including integuments, fertilized proembryos and endosperms. Analyses of the spatio-temporal expression pattern revealed that the prominent FST gene products accumulated in the inner integument, nucellar cell of the micropylar side, apical and base of the proembryos and free endosperm nuclei. Microarray and gene ontology analysis unraveled substantial changes in the expression level of many genes in the fst mutant ovules and seeds, with a subset of genes involved in several developmental and hormonal pathways appearing to be down-regulated. Using both forward and reverse genetics approaches, we demonstrated that rice FST plays indispensable roles and multiple functions during ovule and early seed development. These findings support a novel function for the Bs-group MADS-box genes in plants.
authors.affiliation: Key Lab of Agro-Biodiversity and Pest Management of Education Ministry, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
authors.forename: Dong Sun
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Li Juan
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xue Lin
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Bao-Rong
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shu Xian
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Sang Gu
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hak Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Youyong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D056625:Endosperm / Q000196:embryology; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D016368:Frameshift Mutation; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D017343:Genes, Plant; D009154:Mutation; D012275:Oryza / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D056771:Ovule / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics; D015053:Zygote / Q000254:growth & development