scholarly journals Molecular evolution of flower development: diversification of the plant MADS-box regulatory gene family.

Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D Purugganan ◽  
S D Rounsley ◽  
R J Schmidt ◽  
M F Yanofsky

Abstract Floral homeotic genes that control the specification of meristem and organ identity in developing flowers have been isolated from both Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus. Most of these genes belong to a large family of regulatory genes and possess a characteristic DNA binding domain known as the MADS-box. Members of this gene family display primarily floral-specific expression and are homologous to transcription factors found in several animal and fungal species. Molecular evolutionary analyses reveal that there are appreciable differences in the substitution rates between different domains of these plant MADS-box genes. Phylogenetic analyses also demonstrate that members of the plant MADS-box gene family are organized into several distinct gene groups: the AGAMOUS, APETALA3/PISTILLATA and APETALA1/AGL9 groups. The shared evolutionary history of members of a gene group appear to reflect the distinct functional roles these MADS-box genes play in flower development. Molecular evolutionary analyses also suggest that these different gene groups were established in a relatively short span of evolutionary time and that the various floral homeotic loci originated even before the appearance of the flowering plants.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qasim Raza ◽  
Awais Riaz ◽  
Rana Muhammad Atif ◽  
Babar Hussain ◽  
Iqrar Ahmad Rana ◽  
...  

MADS-box gene family members play multifarious roles in regulating the growth and development of crop plants and hold enormous promise for bolstering grain yield potential under changing global environments. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key stable food crop around the globe. Until now, the available information concerning MADS-box genes in the wheat genome has been insufficient. Here, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis identified 300 high confidence MADS-box genes from the publicly available reference genome of wheat. Comparative phylogenetic analyses with Arabidopsis and rice MADS-box genes classified the wheat genes into 16 distinct subfamilies. Gene duplications were mainly identified in subfamilies containing unbalanced homeologs, pointing towards a potential mechanism for gene family expansion. Moreover, a more rapid evolution was inferred for M-type genes, as compared with MIKC-type genes, indicating their significance in understanding the evolutionary history of the wheat genome. We speculate that subfamily-specific distal telomeric duplications in unbalanced homeologs facilitate the rapid adaptation of wheat to changing environments. Furthermore, our in-silico expression data strongly proposed MADS-box genes as active guardians of plants against pathogen insurgency and harsh environmental conditions. In conclusion, we provide an entire complement of MADS-box genes identified in the wheat genome that could accelerate functional genomics efforts and possibly facilitate bridging gaps between genotype-to-phenotype relationships through fine-tuning of agronomically important traits.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1805
Author(s):  
Tareq Alhindi ◽  
Ayed M. Al-Abdallat

The MADS-box gene family encodes a number of transcription factors that play key roles in various plant growth and development processes from response to environmental cues to cell differentiation and organ identity, especially the floral organogenesis, as in the prominent ABCDE model of flower development. Recently, the genome of American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) has been sequenced. It is a shrub native to the southern region of United States with edible purple-colored berries; it is a member of the Lamiaceae family, a family of medical and agricultural importance. Seventy-eight MADS-box genes were identified from 17 chromosomes of the C. americana assembled genome. Peptide sequences blast and analysis of phylogenetic relationships with MADS-box genes of Sesame indicum, Solanum lycopersicum, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Amborella trichopoda were performed. Genes were separated into 32 type I and 46 type II MADS-box genes. C. americana MADS-box genes were clustered into four groups: MIKCC, MIKC*, Mα-type, and Mγ-type, while the Mβ-type group was absent. Analysis of the gene structure revealed that from 1 to 15 exons exist in C. americana MADS-box genes. The number of exons in type II MADS-box genes (5–15) greatly exceeded the number in type I genes (1–9). The motif distribution analysis of the two types of MADS-box genes showed that type II MADS-box genes contained more motifs than type I genes. These results suggested that C. americana MADS-box genes type II had more complex structures and might have more diverse functions. The role of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in flower and fruit development was highlighted when the expression profile was analyzed in different organs transcriptomes. This study is the first genome-wide analysis of the C. americana MADS-box gene family, and the results will further support any functional and evolutionary studies of C. americana MADS-box genes and serve as a reference for related studies of other plants in the medically important Lamiaceae family.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongyuan Lin ◽  
Dingding Cao ◽  
Rebecca Njeri Damaris ◽  
Pingfang Yang

Abstract Background Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a vital perennial aquatic ornamental plant. Its flower shape determines the horticultural and ornamental values. However, the mechanisms underlying lotus flower development are still elusive. MADS-box transcription factors are crucial in various features of plant development, especially in floral organogenesis and specification. It is still unknown how the MADS-box transcription factors regulate the floral organogenesis in lotus. Results To obtain a comprehensive insight into the functions of MADS-box genes in sacred lotus flower development, we systematically characterized members of this gene family based on the available genome information. A total of 44 MADS-box genes were identified, of which 16 type I and 28 type II genes were categorized based on the phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, the structure of MADS-box genes and their expressional patterns were also systematically analyzed. Additionally, subcellular localization analysis showed that they are mainly localized in the nucleus, of which a SEPALLATA3 (SEP3) homolog NnMADS14 was proven to be involved in the floral organogenesis. Conclusion These results provide some fundamental information about the MADS-box gene family and their functions, which might be helpful in not only understanding the mechanisms of floral organogenesis but also breeding of high ornamental value cultivars in lotus.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1923-1932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Yamaguchi ◽  
Hiro-Yuki Hirano

MADS-box genes play critical roles in a number of developmental processes in flowering plants, such as specification of floral organ identity, control of flowering time, and regulation of fruit development. Because of their crucial functions in flower development, diversification of the MADS-box gene family has been suggested to be a major factor responsible for floral diversity during radiation of the flowering plants. Inflorescences and flowers in the grass species have unique structures that are distinct from those in eudicots. Thus, it is plausible that the diversification of the function of MADS-box genes may have been a key driving force in the morphological divergence of the flowers and inflorescences in the grasses. Indeed, recent progress in genetic studies has shown that MADS-box genes function in flower development inOryza sativa(rice), in support of the idea that functional diversification of the MADS-box genes was involved in evolution of the angiosperms. In this review, we summarize the functions of the major subfamilies of the MADS-box genes in rice and discuss their role in the development and evolution of rice flowers and inflorescences.


1999 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Sundstr�m ◽  
Annelie Carlsbecker ◽  
Mats E. Svensson ◽  
Marie Svenson ◽  
Urban Johanson ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Yun Hu ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Ru Jia ◽  
Wanqi Liang ◽  
Xuelian Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Floral patterning is regulated by intricate networks of floral identity genes. The peculiar MADS32 subfamily genes, absent in eudicots but prevalent in monocots, regulate floral organ identity. However, how the MADS32 family genes interact with other floral homeotic genes during flower development is mostly unknown. We show here that the rice homeotic transcription factor OsMADS32 regulates floral patterning by interacting synergistically with E class protein OsMADS6 in a dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, our results indicate important roles of OsMADS32 in defining stamen, pistil and ovule development through physical and genetic interactions with OsMADS1, OsMADS58 and OsMADS13, and in specifying floral meristem identity with OsMADS6, OsMADS3 and OsMADS58 respectively. Our findings suggest that OsMADS32 is an important factor for floral meristem identity maintenance and that it integrates the action of other MADS-box homeotic proteins to sustain floral organ specification and development in rice. Given that OsMADS32 is an orphan gene and absent in eudicots, our data substantially expand our understanding of flower development in plants.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qasim Raza ◽  
Awais Riaz ◽  
Rana Muhammad Atif ◽  
Babar Hussain ◽  
Zulfiqar Ali ◽  
...  

AbstractMADS-box gene family members play multifarious roles in regulating the growth and development of crop plants and hold enormous promise for bolstering grain yield potential under changing global environments. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key stable food crop around the globe. Until now, the available information concerning MADS-box genes in the wheat genome has been insufficient. However, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis identified 300 high confidence MADS-box genes from the latest publicly available reference genome of wheat. Comparative phylogenetic analyses with Arabidopsis and rice MADS-box genes classified the wheat genes into 16 distinct subfamilies, without a single FLOWERING LOCUS C homolog present in the wheat genome. Gene duplications were mainly identified in subfamilies containing unbalanced homeologs, pointing towards a potential mechanism for gene family expansion. Moreover, a more recent evolutionary origin was inferred for M-type genes, as compared with MIKC-type genes, indicating their significance in understanding the evolutionary history of the wheat genome. We speculate that subfamily-specific distal telomeric duplications in unbalanced homeologs facilitate the rapid adaptation of wheat to changing environments. Furthermore, our in-silico expression data strongly proposed MADS-box genes as active guardians of plants against pathogen insurgency and harsh environmental conditions. In conclusion, we provide an entire complement of MADS-box genes identified in the wheat genome that will accelerate functional genomics efforts and possibly facilitate bridging gaps between genotype-to-phenotype relationships through fine-tuning of agronomically important traits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Moschin ◽  
Sebastiano Nigris ◽  
Ignacio Ezquer ◽  
Simona Masiero ◽  
Stefano Cagnin ◽  
...  

Nymphaeaceae are early diverging angiosperms with large flowers characterized by showy petals and stamens not clearly whorled but presenting a gradual morphological transition from the outer elements to the inner stamens. Such flower structure makes these plant species relevant for studying flower evolution. MADS-domain transcription factors are crucial components of the molecular network that controls flower development. We therefore isolated and characterized MADS-box genes from the water lily Nymphaea caerulea. RNA-seq experiments on floral buds have been performed to obtain the transcript sequences of floral organ identity MADS-box genes. Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses confirmed their belonging to specific MADS-box gene subfamilies. Their expression was quantified by RT-qPCR in all floral organs at two stages of development. Protein interactions among these transcription factors were investigated by yeast-two-hybrid assays. We found especially interesting the involvement of two different AGAMOUS-like genes (NycAG1 and NycAG2) in the water lily floral components. They were therefore functionally characterized by complementing Arabidopsis ag and shp1 shp2 mutants. The expression analysis of MADS-box genes across flower development in N. caerulea described a complex scenario made of numerous genes in numerous floral components. Their expression profiles in some cases were in line with what was expected from the ABC model of flower development and its extensions, while in other cases presented new and interesting gene expression patterns, as for instance the involvement of NycAGL6 and NycFL. Although sharing a high level of sequence similarity, the two AGAMOUS-like genes NycAG1 and NycAG2 could have undergone subfunctionalization or neofunctionalization, as only one of them could partially restore the euAG function in Arabidopsis ag-3 mutants. The hereby illustrated N. caerulea MADS-box gene expression pattern might mirror the morphological transition from the outer to the inner floral organs, and the presence of transition organs such as the petaloid stamens. This study is intended to broaden knowledge on the role and evolution of floral organ identity genes and the genetic mechanisms causing biodiversity in angiosperm flowers.


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