Untitled

Abstract

MADS-box genes in plants are putative transcription factors involved in regulating numerous developmental processes, such as meristem and organ identity in inflorescences and in flowers. Recent reports indicate that they are involved in other processes than flower development such as the establishment of developing embryos, seed coat and ultimately in root and fruit development. We have identified seven tomato MADS-box genes that are highly expressed during the first steps of tomato fruit development. According to comparisons of their deduced amino acid sequences, they were classified into two groups: (1) already identified tomato MADS-box genes previously defined as flower identity genes (TAG1, TDR4 and TDR6) and (2) new tomato MADS-box genes (TAGL1, TAGL2, TAGL11 and TAGL12). With the exception of TAGL12, which is expressed near uniformly in every tissue, the other genes show an induction during the tomato fruit development phase I (anthesis) and phase II, when active cell division occurs. In situ hybridization analyses show a specific expression pattern for each gene within the fruit and embryo sac tissues suggesting an important role in the establishment of tissue identity. Yeast two-hybrid analyses indicate that some of these proteins could potentially form dimers suggesting they could act together to accomplish their proposed role.

Transcriptional and hormonal regulation of petal and stamen development by STAMENLESS, the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) orthologue to the B-class APETALA3 gene

“…Four B-class genes are known in tomato, the AP3 homologues TAP3 and TM6 and the PI homologues TPI and TPIB (Pnueli et al , 1991; Busi et al , 2003; de Martino et al , 2006; Mazzucato et al , 2008; Geuten and Irish, 2010). The SL locus has been suggested as the tomato orthologue of B-function DEF gene of Antirrhinum majus and AP3 of Arabidopsis (Gómez et al , 1999; Mazzucato et al , 2008).…”

“…, 2007), namely, the Tomato MADS box gene 6 ( TM6 ) (syn . TDR6 ; Busi et al , 2003; Pnueli et al , 1991) and the Tomato APETALA3 ( TAP3 ) gene (syn. SlDEF , LeAP3 ; Kramer et al , 1998; de Martino et al , 2006).…”

“…, 1994b) and Tomato AGAMOUS-LIKE gene 2 ( TAGL2 ) (syn. TM29 ; Ampomah-Dwamena et al , 2002; Busi et al , 2003) have been described on the basis of their expression patterns and down-regulated phenotypes. Other MADS box genes expressed during tomato reproductive development have been isolated (Busi et al , 2003).…”

“…Tomato MADS box gene 4 ( TM4 ) (syn. TDR4 ; Pnueli et al , 1991; Busi et al , 2003) is homologous to FRUITFULL ( FUL ) (Lozano et al. , 2009).…”

“…The nucleotide sequences of TAGL1 (syn. ARLEQUIN ( ALQ )) and TAGL11 genes show a high similarity to the Arabidopsis D-class genes SHATTERPROOF1 ( SHP1 , AGL1 ) and SEEDSTICK ( STK , AGL11 ), respectively (Busi et al , 2003; Vrebalov et al , 2009; Giménez et al , 2010), and TAGL2 and TAGL12 share sequence homologies with Arabidopsis AGL2 and AGL12 , respectively (Busi et al , 2003). …”