Abstract
Members of AP1/FUL subfamily genes play an essential role in the regulation of floral meristem transition, floral organ identity, and fruit ripping. At present, there have been insufficient studies to explain the function of the AP1/FUL-like subfamily genes in Asteraceae. Here, we cloned two euAP1 clade genes TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2, and three euFUL clade genes TeFUL1, TeFUL2, and TeFUL3 from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). Expression profile analysis demonstrated that TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2 were mainly expressed in receptacles, sepals, petals, and ovules. TeFUL1 and TeFUL3 were expressed in flower buds, stems, and leaves, as well as reproductive tissues, while TeFUL2 was mainly expressed in flower buds and vegetative tissues. Overexpression of TeAP1-2 or TeFUL2 in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering, implying that these two genes might regulate the floral transition. Yeast two-hybrid analysis indicated that TeAP1/FUL proteins only interacted with TeSEP proteins to form heterodimers and that TeFUL2 could also form a homodimer. In general, TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2 might play a conserved role in regulating sepal and petal identity, similar to the functions of MADS-box class A genes, while TeFUL genes might display divergent functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for the study of AP1/FUL-like genes in Asteraceae species.
Highlights
Flowers show great diversity in morphology, structure, composition, color, and function, they are usually composed of four distinct concentric whorl floral organs: sepals in the outermost whorl, petals in the second whorl, stamens in the third whorl, and carpels in the innermost whorl [1]
Based on the study of the floral formation in model plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana L., Antirrhinum majus L., and Petunia hybrida Vilmorin, the fate of the different floral organs was considered to be determined by a complex regulatory network composed of MADS-box proteins [5]
The MADS-box protein family is one of the most widely studied transcriptional factor families in angiosperm, and this family plays a key role in regulating floral meristem development, floral organ identity, fruit and seed development, vegetative tissue development, and flowering time [6,7,8]
Summary
Flowers show great diversity in morphology, structure, composition, color, and function, they are usually composed of four distinct concentric whorl floral organs: sepals in the outermost whorl, petals in the second whorl, stamens (male reproductive organs) in the third whorl, and carpels (female reproductive organs) in the innermost whorl [1]. The MADS-box protein family is one of the most widely studied transcriptional factor families in angiosperm, and this family plays a key role in regulating floral meristem development, floral organ identity, fruit and seed development, vegetative tissue development, and flowering time [6,7,8]. In Arabidopsis, ap mutation results in the absence of petals, the transformation of sepals into bract-like structures, and the production of secondary flowers from the axils of the first whorl organs [22,24]. EuAP1 clade genes exhibit a conserved function in specifying the floral meristem and sepal identity in core eudicots
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
