Expression of floral identity genes in Clianthus maximus during mass inflorescence abortion and floral development.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Clianthus maximus is a leguminous perennial with an unusual order of floral organ insertion, and inflorescences produced year round that nearly all abort except during a limited time in autumn. This study aimed to determine at what point in floral organ differentiation abortion occurred and whether the expression of the floral identity genes underlies this cessation in flower development.

Methods

Inflorescences were harvested across an annual cycle and flower development was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Expression of the C. maximus-equivalents of LEAFY (LFY), APETALA1 (AP1), PISTILLATA (PI) and AGAMOUS (AG) was monitored simultaneously by quantitative, reverse transcriptase PCR.

Key results

Only those inflorescences formed in

SUBMITTER: Song J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3108803 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature