Role of AGL11 in Ovule and Seed Development

近年来，植物生殖发育一直是深入研究的主题，MADS盒调控基因家族的成员已被证明控制这一复杂过程的关键方面。 心皮和由此产生的果实可以说是最复杂的植物器官，MADS盒基因的AGAMOUS（AG）分支是心皮和果实发育所必需的。 在这个单系分支中有四个密切相关的基因，包括AG，SHATTERPROOF 1（SHP 1），SHP 2和AGL 11。 AG基因编码广泛认可的花器官身份ABC模型的C功能，是心皮身份所必需的。 SHP基因在果实发育过程中发挥冗余作用，以指定开裂区的分化，这是种子传播所需的过程。 AGL 11的突变等位基因，这一重要基因分支的最后成员已被分离。 对agl 11突变体的初步分析表明，agl 11是正常胚珠和种子发育以及种子传播的正常过程所必需的。 此外，当AGL 11突变与SHP 1和SHP 2突变结合时，胚珠发育完全消失。 这些研究表明，AGL 11，SHP 1和SHP 2的行为冗余指定胚珠身份。 随着agl 11突变等位基因在手，下一步不仅要确定AGL 11在胚珠/心皮/种子/果实发育过程中的作用，但要充分剖析AG基因分支的个体和冗余活动。 这些研究应该有深远的影响，在不同的植物物种相似的发育过程的研究。最初的研究将集中在agl 11和agl 11 shp 1 shp 2突变表型的详细描述。 将产生AG的不稳定等位基因，以充分探索AG与该基因进化枝的其他成员的个体和重叠活性。 AGL 11和其他AG分支基因之间的相互作用将与许多已知的基因参与胚珠和心皮发育进行探讨。 这些研究将涉及这些胚珠/心皮发育基因的突变体等位基因到agl 11和agl 11 shp 1 shp 2突变体背景的介绍。 在这些遗传研究的同时，将在这些突变体中监测AGL 11 RNA的表达，并且我们将在agl 11和agl 11 shp 1 shp 2背景中监测每个胚珠/心皮发育基因的表达。 总之，这些研究应提供一个概念框架，了解拟南芥胚珠/心皮/种子/果实发育的遗传和分子相互作用。

0110462YanofskyPlant reproductive development has been the subject of intensive investigation in recent years, and members of the MADS-box family of regulatory genes have been shown to control key aspects of this complex process. The carpels and resulting fruit are arguably the most complex plant organs, and the AGAMOUS (AG) clade of MADS-box genes is necessary for carpel and fruit development. There are four closely related genes within this monophyletic clade, including AG, SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1), SHP2 and AGL11. The AG gene, which encodes the C function of the widely-recognized ABC model of flower organ identity, is necessary for carpel identity. The SHP genes act redundantly during fruit development to specify differentiation of the dehiscence zone, a process that is required for seed dispersal. Mutant alleles for AGL11, the final member of this important clade of genes have been isolated. The initial analyses of agl11 mutants demonstrate that AGL11 is required for normal ovule and seed development, and for the normal process of seed dispersal. Moreover, when mutations in AGL11 are combined with mutations in both SHP1 and SHP2, ovule development is completely abolished. These studies indicate that AGL11, SHP1 and SHP2 act redundantly to specify ovule identity. With agl11-mutant alleles in hand, the next step is not only to define the roles of AGL11 during ovule/carpel/seed/fruit development, but to fully dissect the individual and redundant activities of the AG clade of genes. These studies should have far-reaching implications for the study of similar developmental processes in diverse plant species. Initial studies will focus on a detailed description of the agl11 and agl11 shp1 shp2 mutant phenotypes. Unstable alleles of AG will be made in order to fully explore the individual and overlapping activities of AG with the other members of this gene clade. Interactions will be explored between AGL11 and the other AG-clade genes with the many known genes involved in ovule and carpel development. These studies will involve the introduction of mutant alleles for these ovule/carpel development genes into the agl11 and agl11 shp1 shp2 mutant backgrounds. In parallel with these genetic studies, the expression of AGL11 RNA will be monitored in each of these mutants and we will monitor the expression of each of the ovule/carpel development genes in the agl11 and agl11 shp1 shp2 backgrounds. Together these studies should provide a conceptual framework for understanding the genetic and molecular interactions that underlie ovule/carpel/seed/fruit development in Arabidopsis.