AG and AGL Functions in Early Flower Development

花的同源异型基因AGAMOUS(AG)是指定生殖器官、鉴定和控制确定的花分生组织所必需的。根据花器官识别的ABC模型，AG是C功能所需的唯一已知基因。这个实验室以前的工作已经证明，AG在花中也足以赋予C功能。本实验室的最新结果表明，AG是花分生组织特性的重要调节因子，因为它在不利于开花的条件下控制分生组织。在这项提案中，马博士将专注于使用遗传和分子方法进一步表征AG的功能。他将描述最近发现的两个弱AG突变体的表型。对这些突变体的分析将为揭示AG的功能提供新的线索。他将测试AG基因之间可能的相互作用，这些基因介导了光对开花的控制。这可能揭示AG的功能如何受光信号的调节。他将通过分离增强子和抑制子突变来识别参与AG功能的新基因。这些新的突变应该为更好地理解AG功能提供新的切入点。此外，还将构建提供可诱导AG功能的新结构，以分析AG作用的有效时间和空间范围，并为AG功能的进一步研究做准备，如识别靶基因。这些研究可能会对AG的功能以及总体上的MADS盒基因产生新的见解。此外，在这些研究过程中产生的遗传资源对社区中的其他人来说将是宝贵的工具。

The floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) is required for specifying reproductive organ identify and for controlling a determinate floral meristem. According to the ABC model for floral organ identify, AG is the only known gene required for the C function. Previous work in this laboratory has contributed to the demonstration that AG is also sufficient within the flower to confer C function. More recent results from this lab have shown that AG is an important regulator of floral meristem identity in that it controls the meristem under conditions not favorable for flowering. In this proposal, Dr. Ma will focus on the further characterization of AG function using genetic and molecular approaches. He will characterize the phenotypes of two recently discovered weak ag mutants. Analysis of these mutants will shed new light on AG function. He will test for possible interaction between AG genes mediating control of flowering by light. This may reveal how AG function my be regulated by light signals. He will identify new genes that participate in AG function by isolating enhancer and suppressor mutations. These new mutations should provide new entry points to a better understanding of AG function. In addition, new constructs that provide inducible AG function will be made to analyze the effective temporal and spatial ranges of AG action, and to prepare for further studies of AG functions, such as the identification of target genes. These studies will likely produce new insights about AG functions, and about MADS box genes in general. In addition, the genetic resources that will be generated during these studies will be valuable tools to others in the community.