The Family of MADS - Box Genes Controlling Flower Development in Crocus (Crocus sativus L.)

摘要

In order to uncover and understand the molecular mechanisms controlling flower development in cultivated Crocus sativus and particularly the formation of tepals, we have cloned and characterized their structures and expressions of the families of flower specific MADS-Box genes. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene indicated high homology with members of the MADS-box family of transcription factors. The expression studies of the B-type MADs - Box genes CsatPI and CsatAP3 indicated the presence of the transcripts are not restricted only in the second and third whorl of the flowers but also in the outer tepals and stigmata of the mature crocus flower parts, explaining the homeotic transformation of sepals to petals in that species.