Isolation and Functional Analysis of a PISTILLATA-like MADS-Box Gene from Argan Tree (Argania spinosa)

Abstract

Argan trees (Argania spinosa) belong to a species native to southwestern Morocco, playing an important role in the environment and local economy. Argan oil extracted from kernels has a unique composition and properties. Argan trees were introduced in Tunisia, where hundreds of trees can be found nowadays. In this study, we examined reproductive development in Argan trees from four sites in Tunisia and carried out the functional characterization of a floral homeotic gene in this non-model species. Despite the importance of reproductive development, nothing is known about the genetic network controlling flower development in Argania spinosa. Results obtained in several plant species established that floral organ development is mostly controlled by MADS-box genes and, in particular, APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI) homologs are required for proper petal and stamen identity. Here, we describe the isolation and functional characterization of a MADS-box gene from Argania spinosa. Phylogenetic analyses showed strong homology with PI-like proteins, and the expression of the gene was found to be restricted to the second and third whorls. Functional homology with Arabidopsis PI was demonstrated by the ability of AsPI to confer petal and stamen identity when overexpressed in a pi-1 mutant background. The identification and characterization of this gene support the strong conservation of PI homologs among distant angiosperm plants.

Omics approaches to understand the MADS-box gene family in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) against drought stress

“…These ratios give clues about cellular localization by indicating in which cell sub-region a protein is more likely to be found. Similar to our findings here, MADS-box proteins were also reported to be located in nucleus in Argania spinosa by Louati et al ( 2021 ) and in Setaria italica L. by Zhao et al ( 2021 ) in recent years.…”

Innovation of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) products and byproducts for sustainable development of rural communities in Morocco. A systematic literature review

“…Despite the difficulties in argan tree propagation, several attempts have been made in the past or are under experimentation to promote argan domestication outside its natural range. The oldest attempts have been probably made in 1800 in the colonies of the East Indies (Hooker 1854), while in 1960s several introductory trials have been made in Tunisia (Louati et al 2021), even if already in 1924 Emberger (1924) reported the presence of argan trees around Kairouan (Tunisia) although this information has not been validated by botanists at the time. According to Louati et al (2019) the introduction of argan in Tunisia could result in a positive impact on the economic situation of rural areas, especially as argan tree is suitable to be cultivated in less fertile and almost abandoned areas of Tunisia.…”

Characterization of PISTILLATA-like Genes and Their Promoters from the Distyly Fagopyrum esculentum

“…In core eudicots, most GLO-/PI-like genes, such as EjPI from Eriobotrya japonica [26], GGLO1 from Gerbera hybrida [27], and AsPI from Argania spinosa [28], were expressed in the petal and stamen and were mainly required in controlling perfect petal and stamen identities during flower development. The data indicate that the functions of GLO-/PI-like genes are highly correlaTaKaRa, Shigated with their expression zones in core eudicots.…”