Expression of floricaula in single cell layers of periclinal chimeras activates downstream homeotic genes in all layers of floral meristems

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Hantke ◽  
R. Carpenter ◽  
E.S. Coen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Layer ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Expression Domain ◽  
Phenotypic Properties ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Periclinal Chimeras ◽  
Meristem Identity ◽  
Cell Autonomy ◽  
Floral Meristems

We show that the flowering sectors on plants mutant for floricaula (flo), a meristem identity gene in Antirrhinum majus, are periclinal chimeras expressing flo in either the L1, L2 or L3 cell layer. Flower morphology is almost normal in L1 chimeras, but altered in L2 and L3 chimeras. Expression of flo in any one cell layer results in the expression of organ identity genes, deficiens (def) and plena (ple) in all three cell layers of the chimeras, showing that flo acts inductively to promote gene transcription. The activation of both def and ple is delayed, and the expression domain of def is reduced, accounting for some of the phenotypic properties of the chimeras. Furthermore, we show that flo exhibits some cell-autonomy with respect to autoregulation.

Non-cell-autonomous function of the Antirrhinum floral homeotic proteins DEFICIENS and GLOBOSA is exerted by their polar cell-to-cell trafficking

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (11) ◽  
pp. 3433-3441 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C. Perbal ◽  
G. Haughn ◽  
H. Saedler ◽  
Z. Schwarz-Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Cell Layer ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Cell Trafficking ◽  
Mads Box ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Periclinal Chimeras ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Cell Autonomy

In Antirrhinum majus, petal and stamen organ identity is controlled by two MADS-box transcription factors, DEFICIENS and GLOBOSA. Mutations in either of these genes result in the replacement of petals by sepaloid organs and stamens by carpelloid organs. Somatically stable def and glo periclinal chimeras, generated by transposon excision events, were used to study the non-cell-autonomous functions of these two MADS-box proteins. Two morphologically distinct types of chimeras were analysed using genetic, morphological and molecular techniques. Restoration of DEF expression in the L1 cell layer results in the reestablishment of DEF and GLO functions in L1-derived cells only; inner layer cells retain their mutant sepaloid features. Nevertheless, this activity is sufficient to allow the expansion of petal lobes, highlighting the role of DEF in the stimulation of cell proliferation and/or cell shape and elongation when expressed in the L1 layer. Establishment of DEF or GLO expression in L2 and L3 cell layers is accompanied by the recovery of petaloid identity of the epidermal cells but it is insufficient to allow petal lobe expansion. We show by in situ immunolocalisation that the non-cell-autonomy is due to direct trafficking of DEF and GLO proteins from the inner layer to the epidermal cells. At least for DEF, this movement appears to be polar since DEF acts cell-autonomously when expressed in the L1 cell layer. Furthermore, the petaloid revertant sectors observed on second whorl mutant organs and the mutant margins of petals of L2L3 chimeras suggest that DEF and GLO intradermal movement is limited. This restriction may reflect the difference in the regulation of primary plasmodesmata connecting cells from the same layer and secondary plasmodesmata connecting cells from different layers. We propose that control of intradermal trafficking of DEF and GLO could play a role in maintaining of the boundaries of their expression domains.

Regulation of cell proliferation patterns by homeotic genes during Arabidopsis floral development

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (6) ◽  
pp. 1267-1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.D. Jenik ◽  
V.F. Irish
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Apical Meristem ◽  
Floral Development ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Cell Layer ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Transmitting Tract ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Element System ◽  
Cell Layers

The shoot apical meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana consists of three cell layers that proliferate to give rise to the aerial organs of the plant. By labeling cells in each layer using an Ac-based transposable element system, we mapped their contributions to the floral organs, as well as determined the degree of plasticity in this developmental process. We found that each cell layer proliferates to give rise to predictable derivatives: the L1 contributes to the epidermis, the stigma, part of the transmitting tract and the integument of the ovules, while the L2 and L3 contribute, to different degrees, to the mesophyll and other internal tissues. In order to test the roles of the floral homeotic genes in regulating these patterns of cell proliferation, we carried out similar clonal analyses in apetala3-3 and agamous-1 mutant plants. Our results suggest that cell division patterns are regulated differently at different stages of floral development. In early floral stages, the pattern of cell divisions is dependent on position in the floral meristem, and not on future organ identity. Later, during organogenesis, the layer contributions to the organs are controlled by the homeotic genes. We also show that AGAMOUS is required to maintain the layered structure of the meristem prior to organ initiation, as well as having a non-autonomous role in the regulation of the layer contributions to the petals.

scholarly journals STYLOSA and FISTULATA: regulatory components of the homeotic control of Antirrhinum floral organogenesis

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Motte ◽  
H. Saedler ◽  
Z. Schwarz-Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Expression Domain ◽  
Floral Organogenesis ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Class B ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Meristem Identity

The identity and developmental pattern of the four organ types constituting the flower is governed by three developmental functions, A, B and C, which are defined by homeotic genes and established in two adjacent whorls. In this report we morphologically and genetically characterise mutants of two genes, STYLOSA (STY) and FISTULATA (FIS) which control floral homeotic meristem- and organ-identity genes and developmental events in all floral whorls. The morphology of the reproductive organs in the first and second whorls of sty fis double mutant flowers indicate that the two genes are part of the mechanism to prevent ectopic expression of the C-function in the perianth of wild-type flowers. This is verified by the detection of the expansion of the expression domain of the class C gene PLENA (PLE) towards the perianth. Interestingly, in the second whorl of sty and fis mutants, spatial differences in stamenoid features and in the pattern of ectopic expression of the PLE gene were observed. This suggests that, with respect to the negative control of PLE, petals are composed of two regions, a lateral and a central one. Mutation in ple is epistatic to most of the sty/fis-related homeotic defects. PLE, however, is not the primary target of STY/FIS control, because dramatic reduction of expression of FIMBRIATA, meristem identity genes (FLORICAULA and SQUAMOSA) and of class B organ identity genes (GLOBOSA) occur before changes in the PLE expression pattern. We propose that STY/FIS are hierarchically high-ranking genes that control cadastral component(s) of the A-function. SQUAMOSA as a potential target of this control is discussed. Retarded growth of second whorl organs, subdivision of third whorl primordia and the failure to initiate them in sty/fis mutants may be mediated by the FIMBRIATA gene.

The WUSCHEL gene is required for shoot and floral meristem integrity in Arabidopsis

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Laux ◽  
K.F. Mayer ◽  
J. Berger ◽  
G. Jurgens
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Shoot Meristem ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Recessive Mutations ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Flat Structures ◽  
Meristem Identity ◽  
Wus Gene ◽  
Floral Meristems ◽  
Shoot Meristems

Self perpetuation of the shoot meristem is essential for the repetitive initiation of shoot structures during plant development. In Arabidopsis shoot meristem maintenance is disrupted by recessive mutations in the WUSCHEL (WUS) gene. The defect is evident at all developmental stages and is restricted to shoot and floral meristems, whereas the root meristem is not affected. wus mutants fail to properly organize a shoot meristem in the embryo. Postembryonically, defective shoot meristems are initiated repetitively but terminate prematurely in aberrant flat structures. In contrast to wild-type shoot meristems, primordia initiation occurs ectopically across mutant apices, including the center, and often new shoot meristems instead of organs are initiated. The cells of wus shoot apices are larger and more vacuolated than wild-type shoot meristem cells. wus floral meristems terminate prematurely in a central stamen. Double mutant studies indicate that the number of organ primordia in the center of wus flowers is limited, irrespective of organ identity and we propose that meristem cells are allocated into floral whorl domains in a sequential manner. WUS activity also appears to be required for the formation of supernumerary organs in the center of agamous, superman or clavata1 flowers, suggesting that the WUS gene acts upstream of the corresponding genes. Our results suggest that the WUS gene is specifically required for central meristem identity of shoot and floral meristems to maintain their structural and functional integrity.

scholarly journals Expression of KNUCKLES in the Stem Cell Domain Is Required for Its Function in the Control of Floral Meristem Activity in Arabidopsis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila Kwaśniewska ◽  
Caoilfhionn Breathnach ◽  
Christina Fitzsimons ◽  
Kevin Goslin ◽  
Bennett Thomson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Regulatory Gene ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Floral Organ ◽  
Floral Meristem ◽  
Perturbation Approach ◽  
Expression Domain ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Early Expression ◽  
Floral Meristems

In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the zinc-finger transcription factor KNUCKLES (KNU) plays an important role in the termination of floral meristem activity, a process that is crucial for preventing the overgrowth of flowers. The KNU gene is activated in floral meristems by the floral organ identity factor AGAMOUS (AG), and it has been shown that both AG and KNU act in floral meristem control by directly repressing the stem cell regulator WUSCHEL (WUS), which leads to a loss of stem cell activity. When we re-examined the expression pattern of KNU in floral meristems, we found that KNU is expressed throughout the center of floral meristems, which includes, but is considerably broader than the WUS expression domain. We therefore hypothesized that KNU may have additional functions in the control of floral meristem activity. To test this, we employed a gene perturbation approach and knocked down KNU activity at different times and in different domains of the floral meristem. In these experiments we found that early expression in the stem cell domain, which is characterized by the expression of the key meristem regulatory gene CLAVATA3 (CLV3), is crucial for the establishment of KNU expression. The results of additional genetic and molecular analyses suggest that KNU represses floral meristem activity to a large extent by acting on CLV3. Thus, KNU might need to suppress the expression of several meristem regulators to terminate floral meristem activity efficiently.

Transposon induced chimeras show that floricaula, a meristem identity gene, acts non-autonomously between cell layers

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Carpenter ◽  
E.S. Coen
Keyword(s):  
Gene Function ◽  
Homeotic Gene ◽  
Floral Homeotic Gene ◽  
Distinct Cell ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Meristem Identity ◽  
Cell Autonomy ◽  
Function Activity ◽  
Meristem Identity Gene

Flower meristems comprise several distinct cell layers. To understand the role of cell interactions between and within these layers, we have generated plants chimeric for a key floral homeotic gene, floricaula (flo). These chimeras arose in Antirrhinum by excision of a transposon, restoring flo gene function. Activity of flo in a subset of cell layers gives fertile flowers with an abnormal morphology. This shows that flo can act non-autonomously between layers, although some aspects of its function are impaired. In addition, we show that flo exhibits some cell-autonomy within layers.

OsMADS32 Regulates Rice Floral Patterning through Interactions with Multiple Floral Homeotic Genes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Hu ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Ru Jia ◽  
Wanqi Liang ◽  
Xuelian Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flower Development ◽  
Floral Organ ◽  
Floral Meristem ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Floral Meristem Identity ◽  
Floral Homeotic Genes ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Meristem Identity ◽  
Floral Homeotic

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.

scholarly journals CLAVATA1, a regulator of meristem and flower development in Arabidopsis

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Clark ◽  
M.P. Running ◽  
E.M. Meyerowitz
Keyword(s):  
Flower Development ◽  
Double Mutant ◽  
Apical Meristem ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Floral Meristem ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Meristem Identity ◽  
Floral Meristems ◽  
Transition To Flowering

We have investigated the effects on plant development of mutations in the Arabidopsis thaliana CLAVATA1 gene. In clavata1 plants, vegetative, inflorescence and floral meristems are all enlarged relative to wild type. The apical meristem can fasciate in the more severe mutant alleles, and this fasciation can occur prior to the transition to flowering. Flowers of clavata1 plants can have increased numbers of organs in all four whorls, and can also have additional whorls not present in wild-type flowers. Double mutant combinations of clavata1 with agamous, apetala2, apetala3 and pistillata indicate that CLAVATA1 controls the underlying floral meristem structure upon which these homeotic genes act. Double mutant combinations of clavata1 with apetala1 and leafy indicate CLAVATA1 plays a role in establishing and maintaining floral meristem identity, in addition to its role in controlling meristem size. In support of this, RNA expression patterns of AGAMOUS and APETALA1 are altered in clavata1 flowers.

Heart tube patterning in Drosophila requires integration of axial and segmental information provided by the Bithorax Complex genes and hedgehog signaling

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (19) ◽  
pp. 4509-4521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romina Ponzielli ◽  
Martine Astier ◽  
Aymeric Chartier ◽  
Armel Gallet ◽  
Pascal Thérond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Cardiac Cells ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Bithorax Complex ◽  
Heart Tube ◽  
Expression Domain ◽  
Axial Patterning ◽  
On Line

The Drosophila larval cardiac tube is composed of 104 cardiomyocytes that exhibit genetic and functional diversity. The tube is divided into the aorta and the heart proper that encompass the anterior and posterior parts of the tube, respectively. Differentiation into aorta and heart cardiomyocytes takes place during embryogenesis. We have observed living embryos to correlate morphological changes occurring during the late phases of cardiogenesis with the acquisition of organ function, including functional inlets, or ostiae. Cardiac cells diversity originates in response to two types of spatial information such that cells differentiate according to their position, both within a segment and along the anteroposterior axis. Axial patterning is controlled by homeotic genes of the Bithorax Complex (BXC) which are regionally expressed within the cardiac tube in non-overlapping domains. Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is expressed in the aorta whereas abdominal A (abd-A) is expressed in the heart, with the exception of the four most posterior cardiac cells which express Abdominal B (Abd-B). Ubx and abd-A functions are required to confer an aorta or a heart identity on cardiomyocytes, respectively. The anterior limit of the expression domain of Ubx, abd-A and Abd-B is independent of the function of the other genes. In contrast, abd-A represses Ubx expression in the heart and ectopic overexpression of abd-A transforms aorta cells into heart cardiomyocytes. Taken together, these results support the idea that BXC homeotic genes in the cardiac tube conform to the posterior prevalence rule. The cardiac tube is also segmentally patterned and each metamere contains six pairs of cardioblasts that are genetically diverse. We show that the transcription of seven up (svp), which is expressed in the two most posterior pairs of cardioblasts in each segment, is dependent on hedgehog (hh) signaling from the dorsal ectoderm. In combination with the axial information furnished by abd-A, the segmental hh-dependent information leads to the differentiation of the six pairs of svp-expressing cells into functional ostiae. Movies available on-line

Contrasting Evolutionary Forces in theArabidopsis thalianaFloral Developmental Pathway

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 160 (4) ◽  
pp. 1641-1650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth M Olsen ◽  
Andrew Womack ◽  
Ashley R Garrett ◽  
Jane I Suddith ◽  
Michael D Purugganan
Keyword(s):  
Floral Organ ◽  
Regulatory Genes ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Developmental Pathway ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Coding Regions ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Meristem Identity ◽  
Floral Organ Identity Genes ◽  
Population Genetic Analyses

AbstractThe floral developmental pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana is composed of several interacting regulatory genes, including the inflorescence architecture gene TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1), the floral meristem identity genes LEAFY (LFY), APETALA1 (AP1), and CAULIFLOWER (CAL), and the floral organ identity genes APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI). Molecular population genetic analyses of these different genes indicate that the coding regions of AP3 and PI, as well as AP1 and CAL, share similar levels and patterns of nucleotide diversity. In contrast, the coding regions of TFL1 and LFY display a significant reduction in nucleotide variation, suggesting that these sequences have been subjected to a recent adaptive sweep. Moreover, the promoter of TFL1, unlike its coding region, displays high levels of diversity organized into two distinct haplogroups that appear to be maintained by selection. These results suggest that patterns of molecular evoution differ among regulatory genes in this developmental pathway, with the earlier acting genes exhibiting evidence of adaptive evolution.

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