Isolation and characterization of a MADS-box gene cDNA, PnMADS1, that is expressed in both vegetative and floral meristems of pharbitis nil

摘要

A novel cDNA corresponding to a gene designated PnMADS1 and encoding a MADS-box protein was isolated from the short-day plant Pharbitis nil(Japanese morning glory) cv. Violet. Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequence encoded by PnMADS1 does not belong to any of the major sub-groups of MADS-box proteins that are mainly expressed in the so-called'orphan group' of unclassified MADS-box proteins that are mainly expressed in vegetative organs. The most similar MADS-box genes were AGL24 and StMADS16(53.2% and 52.3% identity at the deduced amino-acid level, respectively). We obtained evidence that PnMADS1 mRNA accumulates in both vegetative and floral meristems but not in any other vegetative organs. Our results indicate that PnMADS1 is a novel MADS-box protein in terms of both structure and pattern of expression.