The rice StMADS11-like genes OsMADS22 and OsMADS47 cause floral reversions in Arabidopsis without complementing the svp and agl24 mutants.

During floral induction and flower development plants undergo delicate phase changes which are under tight molecular control. MADS-box transcription factors have been shown to play pivotal roles during these transition phases. SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) and AGAMOUS LIKE 24 (AGL24) are important regulators both during the transition to flowering and during flower development.

Production of recombinant HIV-1/HBV virus-like particles in Nicotiana tabacum and Arabidopsis thaliana plants for a bivalent plant-based vaccine.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) spread via similar transmission pathways, and infection by HBV occurs in up to 32% of HIV-1 cases. Here, we describe the successful expression of novel recombinant HIV-1/HBV virus-like particles (VLPs) in Nicotiana tabacum and Arabidopsis thaliana. The production levels and quality of the recombinant VLPs were comparable in the two plants, showing that parameters intrinsic to the recombinant proteins determined their assembly into VLPs.

Functional characterization of OsMADS18, a member of the AP1/SQUA subfamily of MADS box genes.

MADS box transcription factors controlling flower development have been isolated and studied in a wide variety of organisms. These studies have shown that homologous MADS box genes from different species often have similar functions. OsMADS18 from rice (Oryza sativa) belongs to the phylogenetically defined AP1/SQUA group.

Ternary complex formation between MADS-box transcription factors and the histone fold protein NF-YB.

MADS-box proteins are transcription factors present in different eukaryotic kingdoms. In contrast to plants, for mammalian and yeast MADS-box proteins ternary complex formation with unrelated transcription factors was reported. We show here the first identification of such ternary interaction in plants.