Tinkering with the C-function: a molecular frame for the selection of double flowers in cultivated roses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Roses have been cultivated for centuries and a number of varieties have been selected based on flower traits such as petal form, color, and number. Wild-type roses have five petals (simple flowers), whereas high numbers of petals (double flowers) are typical attributes of most of the cultivated roses. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms that could have been selected to control petal number in roses.

Methodology/principal findings

We have analyzed the expression of several candidate genes known to be involved in floral organ identity determination in roses from similar genetic backgrounds but exhibiting contrasting petal numbers per flower. We show that the rose ortholog of AGAMOUS (RhAG) is differentially expressed in double flowers as compared to simpl

SUBMITTER: Dubois A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2823793 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature