Functional characterization of B class MADS-box transcription factors in Gerbera hybrida.

According to the classical ABC model, B-function genes are involved in determining petal and stamen development. Most core eudicot species have B class genes belonging to three different lineages: the PI, euAP3, and TM6 lineages, although both Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum appear to have lost their TM6-like gene. Functional studies were performed for three gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) B class MADS-box genes--PI/GLO-like GGLO1, euAP3 class GDEF2, and TM6-like GDEF1--and data are shown for a second euAP3-like gene, GDEF3.

Transcriptional analysis of petal organogenesis in Gerbera hybrida.

Understanding of the molecular interplay, which determines early steps of flower formation has grown considerably during last years. In contrast, genetic actions responsible for how flower organs acquire their size and shape at later phases of organogenesis are still poorly understood. We have exploited the large and anatomically simple Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida var.

Reproductive meristem fates in Gerbera.

Flowering plants go through several phases between regular stem growth and the actual production of flower parts. The stepwise conversion of vegetative into inflorescence and floral meristems is usually unidirectional, but under certain environmental or genetic conditions, meristems can revert to an earlier developmental identity. Vegetative meristems are typically indeterminate, producing organs continuously, whereas flower meristems are determinate, shutting down their growth after reproductive organs are initiated.

Mining plant diversity: Gerbera as a model system for plant developmental and biosynthetic research.

Gerbera hybrida is a member of the large sunflower family (Asteraceae). Typical of Asteraceae, Gerbera bears different types of flowers in its inflorescence. The showy marginal flowers comprise elongate, ligulate corollas that are female, whereas the central and inconspicuous disc flowers are complete, with both male and female organs.

Analysis of the floral transcriptome uncovers new regulators of organ determination and gene families related to flower organ differentiation in Gerbera hybrida (Asteraceae).

Development of composite inflorescences in the plant family Asteraceae has features that cannot be studied in the traditional model plants for flower development. In Gerbera hybrida, inflorescences are composed of morphologically different types of flowers tightly packed into a flower head (capitulum). Individual floral organs such as pappus bristles (sepals) are developmentally specialized, stamens are aborted in marginal flowers, petals and anthers are fused structures, and ovaries are located inferior to other floral organs.

Integration of reproductive meristem fates by a SEPALLATA-like MADS-box gene.

Reproductive transition, inflorescence architecture, meristem patterning, and floral organ identity have been studied as distinct research areas in plant science. By using the ornamental plant Gerbera, we demonstrate that all of these keystone aspects of reproductive meristematic fate are integrated genetically by a single SEPALLATA-like MADS-box gene from a functional class designated previously as "floral homeotic" or "organ identity." This extended regulatory network has not been elaborated in the model plant systems, which have a floral design and inflorescence-determinacy state that obscures these relationships.