| Abstract Detail
Evolution of Development and Physiology Holappa, LD [1], Gould, BA [2], Kramer, Elena M [2]. Elucidation of the ABC model in the basal eudicot Aquilegia (columbine) using a protein-protein interaction approach. The basal eudicot Aquilegia (columbine) has an unusual floral structure that includes two morphologically distinct whorls of petaloid organs and a clearly differentiated fifth organ type, the staminodium. In our current study, we seek to determine how Aquilegia homologs of the A, B, C, and E class MADS box genes contribute to these novel forms of organ identity. Specifically we have taken a protein-protein interaction approach using yeast two hybrid analyses to determine possible hierarchical interactions between homodimers and heterodimers of the Aquilegia floral MADS box proteins. These include homologs of the class A locus APETALA1 (AqFL1); class B, APETALA3 (AqAP3-1, AqAP33-2, AqAP3-3) and PISTILLATA (AqPI); class C, AGAMOUS (AqAG1); and class E, SEPALATTA1-4 (AqSEP1, AqSEP2, and AqSEP3). Previous studies focused on the B class homologs have shown that the AqAP3 and AqPI proteins form heterodimers and contribute to the identity of the petals, stamens and novel staminodia. The analyses described here will expand this work to describe the dimerization interactions of AqFL1, AqAG1 and AqSEP1-3. Furthermore, we are testing potential higher order interactions in order to assess the ability of these proteins to form “quartet complexes” as has been hypothesized in Arabidopsis. The results of these protein interaction studies along with analyses of expression patterns, provide a basis for the formulation of specific hypotheses regarding floral organ identity determination in Aquilegia, which can now be further tested in this emerging plant genetic model.
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1 - Harvard University, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, 16 Divinity Avenue, Biolabs 1112, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
2 - Harvard University, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
Keywords:
Aquilegia
MADs box genes.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P27010
Abstract ID:825 |
