 Class B floral organ identity genes ('B genes') are homeotic MADS-box genes which specify petal and stamen identity during floral development. Bsister (Bs) genes are representing the putative sister clade of the B genes and were isolated from several angiosperms and gymnosperms indicating that this MADS-box gene clade originated more than 300 million years ago. Bs genes are predominantly expressed in female reproductive organs of both angiosperms and gymnosperms, suggesting an important role in ovule development. However, mutant alleles of the two Arabidopsis Bs genes (abs/tt16 and agl63) revealed only mild phenotypic effects in seed coat pigmentation and fruit development, respectively. Taking together the high degree of conservation on both gene sequence and expression level we assume a more profound function of Bs genes in female reproductive development than recognised so far. To test this hypothesis, we are analysing possible redundancies of the Bs genes with other genes in the eudicot Arabidopsis. To learn more about the evolutionary significance of Bs genes we are also analysing the function of the three Bs genes in the monocot rice.
Grant: TH 417/7-1 of the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) This project is carried in cooperation with a group at the University of Bremen (Prof. Dr. Annette Becker, Evolutionary Developmental Genetics Group) Suggested reading: Becker, A., Kaufmann, K., Freialdenhoven, A., Vincent, C., Li, M.A., Saedler, H. and Theißen, G. (2002). |
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