title: Molecular mechanisms of floral organ specification by MADS domain proteins.
abstract: Flower development is a model system to understand organ specification in plants. The identities of different types of floral organs are specified by homeotic MADS transcription factors that interact in a combinatorial fashion. Systematic identification of DNA-binding sites and target genes of these key regulators show that they have shared and unique sets of target genes. DNA binding by MADS proteins is not based on 'simple' recognition of a specific DNA sequence, but depends on DNA structure and combinatorial interactions. Homeotic MADS proteins regulate gene expression via alternative mechanisms, one of which may be to modulate chromatin structure and accessibility in their target gene promoters.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Dijun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany. Electronic address: kerstin.kaufmann@uni-potsdam.de.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins