The Arabidopsis homeotic genes APETALA3 and PISTILLATA are sufficient to provide the B class organ identity function

Development. 1996 Jan;122(1):11-22. doi: 10.1242/dev.122.1.11.

Abstract

The class B organ identity genes, APETALA3 and PISTILLATA, are required to specify petal and stamen identity in the Arabidopsis flower. We show here that the activities of these two genes are sufficient to specify petals and stamens in flowers, in combination with the class A and C genes, respectively. Flowers of plants constitutively expressing both PISTILLATA and APETALA3 under the control of the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus consist of two outer whorls of petals and inner whorls of stamens. These plants also exhibit vegetative phenotypes that are not present in either of the singly (APETALA3 or PISTILLATA) overexpressing lines. These phenotypes include leaf curling and the partial conversion of later-arising cauline leaves to petals. The presence of additional floral whorls in flowers ectopically expressing APETALA3 and PISTILLATA and the rescue of missing organs in class A mutants by ectopic B function suggest that APETALA3 and PISTILLATA play an additional role in proliferation of the floral meristem.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / anatomy & histology
  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins*
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genes, Homeobox*
  • Genes, Plant*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • MADS Domain Proteins*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Mutation
  • Organ Specificity
  • Phenotype
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Plant / genetics
  • RNA, Plant / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • MADS Domain Proteins
  • PISTILLATA protein, Arabidopsis
  • Plant Proteins
  • RNA, Plant
  • Transcription Factors