Biomedical subjects

H Saedler

Publications and source records attributed to H Saedler.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

MADS-box genes reveal that gnetophytes are more closely related to conifers than to flowering plants.

The evolutionary origin of the angiosperms (flowering plants sensu stricto) is still enigmatic. Answers to the question of angiosperm origins are intimately connected to the identification of their sister group among extinct and extant taxa. Most phylogenetic analyses based on morphological data agree that among the groups of extant seed plants, the gnetophytes are the sister group of the angiosperms. According to this view, angiosperms and gnetophytes are the only extant members of a clade called "anthophytes" to emphasize their shared possession of flower-like reproductive structures. However, most phylogeny reconstructions based on molecular data so far did not support an anthophyte clade, but also could not clarify the case because support for alternative groupings has been weak or controversial. We have isolated 13 different homologs of MADS-type floral homeotic genes from the gnetophyte Gnetum gnemon. Five of these genes fall into monophyletic gene clades also comprising putatively orthologous genes from flowering plants and conifers, among them orthologs of floral homeotic B and C function genes. Within these clades the Gnetum genes always form distinct subclades together with the respective conifer genes, to the exclusion of the angiosperm genes. This provides strong molecular evidence for a sister-group relationship between gnetophytes and conifers, which is in contradiction to widely accepted interpretations of morphological data for almost a century. Our phylogeny reconstructions and the outcome of expression studies suggest that complex features such as flower-like reproductive structures and double-fertilization arose independently in gnetophytes and angiosperms.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

PubMed1999

The golden decade of molecular floral development (1990-1999): A cheerful obituary

Cloning of genes involved in the specification of floral meristem and organ identity and in the transition to flowering in some model plants such as Arabidopsis, Antirrhinum, and Petunia during the last decade represents an unprecedented step forward towards an understanding of floral development. Most of these genes belong to conserved and widespread gene families encoding transcription factors, such as the MADS-box genes, FLO-like, and AP2-like genes. Current work on the molecular genetic basis of floral development still focuses on a deeper understanding of the classical model systems, which are all higher eudicots. However, in order to apply the current knowledge about floral developmental genetics to plant breeding and evolutionary biology, flowering plant diversity is now also seriously taken into account. In the next decade, developmental control genes will be studied less and less individually, but rather as components of complex gene regulatory networks. The necessary technology is currently being developed. Learning to understand the origin and evolution of these gene networks will also help to clarify the origin and diversification of flowers, one of the most "abominable" and long-standing mysteries of botany. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Expression of MADS box genes ZMM8 and ZMM14 during inflorescence development of Zea mays discriminates between the upper and the lower floret of each spikelet.

Most floral meristem and organ identity genes of dicotyledonous plants belong to the MADS box gene family. Since they are generally transcribed in those tissues and organs whose identity they determine, they are excellent markers for developmental processes. Here we report the cDNA cloning of a pair of MADS box genes, ZMM8 and ZMM14, from the monocotyledonous plant maize. Maize inflorescences are composed of spikelets which contain two florets, an upper and a lower one. Although upper and lower florets develop in a very similar way in male inflorescences, ZMM8 and ZMM14 expression was found in all organs of upper florets, but no transcripts were detected in lower florets. In contrast, two other MADS box genes were found to be expressed in lower florets in the same way as in upper florets. Our observations suggest that during spikelet development ZMM8 and ZMM14 work as selector genes which are involved in distinguishing the upper from the lower floret. Alternatively, these genes may be involved in conferring determinacy to the spikelet or upper floret meristem. Our data suggest that in the phylogenetic lineage that led to maize an ancient type of MADS box gene has been recruited during evolution for the establishment of novel positional information not found within the simple inflorescences of dicotyledonous plants such as Arabidopsis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Characterization of the FIDDLEHEAD gene of Arabidopsis reveals a link between adhesion response and cell differentiation in the epidermis.

We report the isolation of the FIDDLEHEAD (FDH) gene of Arabidopsis by transposon tagging. Three mutant alleles of FDH carrying insertions of the Enhancer/Suppressor-mutator transposon and one stable allele with a transposon footprint were generated in the Arabidopsis ecotype Columbia genetic background. Closer examination of the adaxial epidermis of rosette leaves revealed that in addition to provoking the previously described fusion phenotype in leaves and floral organs, mutations in FDH have a deleterious effect on trichome differentiation. FDH transcripts were detected exclusively in the epidermis of young vegetative and floral organs. Plants overexpressing FDH under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter segregated fdh phenocopies, wild-type individuals, and plants showing severe retardation of growth and development. The dwarf plants displayed the most FDH expression, the fdh phenocopies generally the least. The protein product of FDH shows similarity to condensing enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis, particularly those of the FATTY ACID ELONGATION family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Knock-out mutants from an En-1 mutagenized Arabidopsis thaliana population generate phenylpropanoid biosynthesis phenotypes.

A collection of 8,000 Arabidopsis thaliana plants carrying 48,000 insertions of the maize transposable element En-1 has been generated. This population was used for reverse genetic analyses to identify insertions in individual gene loci. By using a PCR-based screening protocol, insertions were found in 55 genes. En-1 showed no preference for transcribed or untranscribed regions nor for a particular orientation relative to the gene of interest. In several cases, En-1 was inserted within a few kilobases upstream or downstream of the gene. En-1 was mobilized from such positions into the respective gene to cause gene disruption. Knock-out alleles of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis were generated. One mutant line contained an En-1 insertion in the flavonol synthase gene (FLS) and showed drastically reduced levels of kaempferol. Allelism tests with other lines containing En-1 insertions in the flavanone 3-hydroxylase gene (F3H) demonstrated that TRANSPARENT TESTA 6 (TT6) encodes flavanone 3-hydroxylase. The f3h and fls null mutants complete the set of A. thaliana lines defective in early steps of the flavonoid pathway. These experiments demonstrate the efficiency of the screening method and gene disruption strategy used for assigning functions to genes defined only by sequence.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed1998

The behaviour of the autonomous maize transposable element En/Spm in Arabidopsis thaliana allows efficient mutagenesis.

The behavior of the autonomous maize transposable element En/Spm of maize was studied in Arabidopsis. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants carrying En-1 elements were propagated for 12 generations using a single seed descent procedure. The distribution and activity of the En-1 element was monitored using Southern DNA hybridisations in generations 1, 6 and 12. In the first generation the highest number of En-1 insertions per line was 7, which increased to 20 in generation 12. The average number of En-1 insertions increased only slightly in the population, due to a gradual accumulation of segregants that lost the transposable element. During the development of the En-1 mutagenised population the element remained active even in the high-copy lines. In situ hybridisation demonstrated that multiple En-1 insertions were distributed over all Arabidopsis chromosomes. From the initial En-1 mutagenised populations many unstable gene mutations were recovered, indicating that En-1 can be used as a efficient tool for gene tagging in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed1998

Molecular analysis of a second functional A1 gene (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase) in Zea mays.

Some genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in Zea mays are duplicated and differentially expressed. From the analysis of the A1 gene (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase), which is involved in this pathway, no molecular evidence for gene duplication was known to date. Isolation and analysis of A1 homologous genomic clones revealed the presence of a second A1 gene in maize and also two copies of the gene in Teosinte guerrero. The duplicated genes are structurally very similar and, at least in maize, the second gene is expressed.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1998

STYLOSA and FISTULATA: regulatory components of the homeotic control of Antirrhinum floral organogenesis.

The identity and developmental pattern of the four organ types constituting the flower is governed by three developmental functions, A, B and C, which are defined by homeotic genes and established in two adjacent whorls. In this report we morphologically and genetically characterise mutants of two genes, STYLOSA (STY) and FISTULATA (FIS) which control floral homeotic meristem- and organ-identity genes and developmental events in all floral whorls. The morphology of the reproductive organs in the first and second whorls of sty fis double mutant flowers indicate that the two genes are part of the mechanism to prevent ectopic expression of the C-function in the perianth of wild-type flowers. This is verified by the detection of the expansion of the expression domain of the class C gene PLENA (PLE) towards the perianth. Interestingly, in the second whorl of sty and fis mutants, spatial differences in stamenoid features and in the pattern of ectopic expression of the PLE gene were observed. This suggests that, with respect to the negative control of PLE, petals are composed of two regions, a lateral and a central one. Mutation in ple is epistatic to most of the sty/fis-related homeotic defects. PLE, however, is not the primary target of STY/FIS control, because dramatic reduction of expression of FIMBRIATA, meristem identity genes (FLORICAULA and SQUAMOSA) and of class B organ identity genes (GLOBOSA) occur before changes in the PLE expression pattern. We propose that STY/FIS are hierarchically high-ranking genes that control cadastral component(s) of the A-function. SQUAMOSA as a potential target of this control is discussed. Retarded growth of second whorl organs, subdivision of third whorl primordia and the failure to initiate them in sty/fis mutants may be mediated by the FIMBRIATA gene.

Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental↗

PubMed1997

Plant transposons: contributors to evolution?

A spectrum of different hypotheses has been presented by various authors, from plant transposable elements as major agents in evolution to the very opposite, transposons as mainly selfish DNA constituting a genetic burden for the organisms. The following review will focus on: (1) a short survey of the two main different assessments of transposable elements (TEs) concerning the origin of species (selfish vs useful DNA); (2) the significance of the hierarchy of gene functions and redundancies for TE activities (selfish in non-redundant parts of the genome, but as a source of variability in the rest); (3) the relevance of the results of TE research in Zea mays and Antirrhinum majus for species formation in the wild (contrast between artificial and natural selection); (4) three areas of research where a synthesis between the two different evaluations of TEs seems possible: regressive evolution, the origin of ecotypes and the origin of cultivated plants; and (5) some possible prospects regarding TE-induced species formation in the angiosperms in general, i.e., the basic difference between systematic and genetic species concepts and the conceivable origin of a large part of angiosperm morphospecies owing to loss of function and further mutations by TE activities.

DNA↗

PubMed1997

Floral homeotic genes were recruited from homologous MADS-box genes preexisting in the common ancestor of ferns and seed plants.

Flowers sensu lato are short, specialized axes bearing closely aggregated sporophylls. They are typical for seed plants (spermatophytes) and are prominent in flowering plants sensu stricto (angiosperms), where they often comprise an attractive perianth. There is evidence that spermatophytes evolved from gymnosperm-like plants with a fern-like mode of reproduction called progymnosperms. It seems plausible, therefore, that the stamens/carpels and pollen sacs/nucelli of spermatophytes are homologous to fern sporophylls and sporangia, respectively. However, the exact mode and molecular basis of early seed and flower evolution is not yet known. Comparing flower developmental control genes to their homologs from lower plants that do not flower may help to clarify the issue. We have isolated and characterized MADS-box genes expressed in gametophytes and sporophytes of the fern Ceratopteris. The data indicate that at least two different MADS-box genes homologous to floral homeotic genes existed in the last common ancestor of contemporary vascular plants, some descendants of which underwent multiple duplications and diversifications and were recruited into novel developmental networks during the evolution of floral organs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Conserved expression of a TASSELSEED2 homolog in the tapetum of the dioecious Silene latifolia and Arabidopsis thaliana.

To investigate the genetics of male sex determination and stamen development in the dioecious plant Silene latifolia (white campion), male-specific transcripts were isolated from developing flowers by cDNA subtraction. One of the cDNAs identified, STA1, had high DNA and amino acid sequence homology to the male sex determining gene of Zea mays (maize), TASSELSEED2. Both genes are expressed in male and not in female flowers, However, they do not share the same expression pattern. The TASSELSEED2 gene product is expressed in the gynoecium primordia of male maize flowers where it is necessary for pistil abortion. STA1 is not expressed in the gynoecium primordia of male white campion and therefore its gene product cannot perform the same function in sex determination that TASSELSEED2 performs in maize. STA1 is expressed in tapetal cells of white campion male flowers and of white campion hermaphroditic mutants. A homologous gene is also expressed in the tapetum of hermaphroditic Silene species. Tapetal expression of a homologous gene (named ATA1) was also found in Arabidopsis thaliana. The similarity in primary sequence and expression pattern of STA1 and ATA1 indicate that these genes have a conserved role in tapetum development.

Alleles↗

PubMed1997

Pollen-specific expression of DEFH125, a MADS-box transcription factor in Antirrhinum with unusual features.

MADS-box genes encode transcription factors that regulate different processes of early and late floral development. A novel type of MADS-box gene, DEFH125, was isolated from a stamen specific cDNA library from Antirrhinum majus. The DEFH125 protein shows extensive similarity over the entire length to AGL17, a root-specific MADS-box protein of Arabidopsis. By sharing amino acid deviations from the consensus MADS-box sequence not found in other MADS-box families, these two proteins constitute a novel MADS-box subfamily. However, in contrast to members of other subfamilies the overall structural similarity between the DEFH125 and AGL17 proteins does not coincide with a similarity of expression patterns and functions. The DEFH125 gene is expressed at detectable levels only in the third whorl when the meiotic division of the pollen mother cell is already accomplished. The DEFH125 protein has been located in the cytoplasm of the vegetative cell within the maturing pollen. Surprisingly, after pollination, the DEFH125 protein is also found in nuclei of cells within the transmitting tract of the carpel. The intriguing role of DEFH125, the first MADS-box transcription factor of this type, in aspects of fertilization, such as pollen maturation, pollen tube formation or pollen tube guidance in the carpel, is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Functional analysis of the Arabidopsis thaliana SBP-box gene SPL3: a novel gene involved in the floral transition.

The isolation and initial characterization of the Arabidopsis thaliana SPL3 gene are described. SPL3 belongs to a gene family encoding putative transcription factors characterized by a conserved DNA-binding domain, the SBP domain. SPL3 transcription is developmentally regulated and is localized mainly in vegetative and inflorescence apical meristems, floral meristems and in leaf and floral organ primordia. SPL3 recognizes a conserved sequence motif in the promoter region of the A. thaliana floral meristem identity gene AP1. Similarly to AP1, constitutive expression of SPL3 results in early flowering. However, constitutive expression of SPL3 in an ap1 mutant background showed that AP1 is not required for the early flowering phenotype of the SPL3 transgenic plants. The function of SPL3 during flowering as well as its possible functional redundancy are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Multiple interactions amongst floral homeotic MADS box proteins.

Most known floral homeotic genes belong to the MADS box family and their products act in combination to specify floral organ identity by an unknown mechanism. We have used a yeast two-hybrid system to investigate the network of interactions between the Antirrhinum organ identity gene products. Selective heterodimerization is observed between MADS box factors. Exclusive interactions are detected between two factors, DEFICIENS (DEF) and GLOBOSA (GLO), previously known to heterodimerize and control development of petals and stamens. In contrast, a third factor, PLENA (PLE), which is required for reproductive organ development, can interact with the products of MADS box genes expressed at early, intermediate and late stages. We also demonstrate that heterodimerization of DEF and GLO requires the K box, a domain not found in non-plant MADS box factors, indicating that the plant MADS box factors may have different criteria for interaction. The association of PLENA and the temporally intermediate MADS box factors suggests that part of their function in mediating between the meristem and organ identity genes is accomplished through direct interaction. These data reveal an unexpectedly complex network of interactions between the factors controlling flower development and have implications for the determination of organ identity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

A new family of DNA binding proteins includes putative transcriptional regulators of the Antirrhinum majus floral meristem identity gene SQUAMOSA.

Several sites of nuclear protein interaction within the promoter region of the Antirrhinum majus floral meristem identity gene SQUAMOSA were detected using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. One of these sites displayed a particularly clear interaction with nuclear protein extracted from inflorescences but not with nuclear protein extracted from young, nonflowering plants. This site could thus represent a binding motif for a transcriptional activator. A South-western screen of an inflorescence cDNA expression library resulted in the isolation of several cDNAs representing two different genes named SBP1 and SBP2 (for SQUAMOSA-pROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN gene 1 and 2). Both genes encode highly similar protein domains which were found to be necessary and sufficient for binding DNA in a sequence-specific manner. This DNA-binding domain showed no similarity to known proteins in the databases. However, it is characteristic for a small family of gene products in A. majus and other plant species. Expression of SBP1 and 2 is developmentally regulated and their transcriptional activation precedes that of SQUAMOSA. The data presented support the idea that members of the newly identified SBP gene family function as transcription factors involved in the control of early flower development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Classification and phylogeny of the MADS-box multigene family suggest defined roles of MADS-box gene subfamilies in the morphological evolution of eukaryotes.

The MADS-box encodes a novel type of DNA-binding domain found so far in a diverse group of transcription factors from yeast, animals, and seed plants. Here, our first aim was to evaluate the primary structure of the MADS-box. Compilation of the 107 currently available MADS-domain sequences resulted in a signature which can strictly discriminate between genes possessing or lacking a MADS-domain and allowed a classification of MADS-domain proteins into several distinct subfamilies. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of known eukaryotic MADS-box genes, which is the first comprising animal as well as fungal and plant homologs, showed that the vast majority of subfamily members appear on distinct subtrees of phylogenetic trees, suggesting that subfamilies represent monophyletic gene clades and providing the proposed classification scheme with a sound evolutionary basis. A reconstruction of the history of the MADS-box gene subfamilies based on the taxonomic distribution of contemporary subfamily members revealed that each subfamily comprises highly conserved putative orthologs and recent paralogs. Some subfamilies must be very old (1,000 MY or more), while others are more recent. In general, subfamily members tend to share highly similar sequences, expression patterns, and related functions. The defined species distribution, specific function, and strong evolutionary conservation of the members of most subfamilies suggest that the establishment of different subfamilies was followed by rapid fixation and was thus highly advantageous during eukaryotic evolution. These gene subfamilies may have been essential prerequisites for the establishment of several complex eukaryotic body structures, such as muscles in animals and certain reproductive structures in higher plants, and of some signal transduction pathways. Phylogenetic trees indicate that after establishment of different subfamilies, additional gene duplications led to a further increase in the number of MADS-box genes. However, several molecular mechanisms of MADS-box gene diversification were used to a quite different extent during animal and plant evolution. Known plant MADS-domain sequences diverged much faster than those of animals, and gene duplication and sequence diversification were extensively used for the creation of new genes during plant evolution, resulting in a relatively large number of interacting genes. In contrast, the available data on animal genes suggest that increase in gene number was only moderate in the lineage leading to mammals, but in the case of MEF2-like gene products, heterodimerization between different splice variants may have increased the combinatorial possibilities of interactions considerably. These observations demonstrate that in metazoan and plant evolution, increased combinatorial possibilities of MADS-box gene product interactions correlated with the evolution of increasingly complex body plans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Alteration of tobacco floral organ identity by expression of combinations of Antirrhinum MADS-box genes.

Floral organ identity is largely controlled by the spatially restricted expression of several MADS-box genes. In Antirrhinum majus these organ identity genes include DEF, GLO and PLE. Single and double mutant analyses indicated that the type of organ found in a particular whorl is dependent on which combination of these genes is expressed there. This paper reports the ectopic expression of Antirrhinum organ identity genes, alone and in combinations, in transgenic tobacco. Although the phenotypes are broadly in agreement with the genetic predictions, several unexpected features are observed which provide information concerning the action of the organ identity genes. The presumed tobacco homologue of DEF, NTDEF, has been isolated and used to investigate the influence of ectopic expression of the Antirrhinum organ identity genes on the endogenous tobacco genes. Analysis of the spatial and temporal expression patterns of NTDEF and NTGLO reveals that the boundaries are not coincident and that differences exist in the regulatory mechanisms of the two genes concerning both induction and maintenance of gene expression. Evidence is provided which indicates that organ development is sensitive to the relative levels of organ identity gene expression. Expression of the organ identity genes outside the flower or inflorescence produced no effects, suggesting that additional factors are required to mediate their activity. These results demonstrate that heterologous genes can be used to predictably influence floral organ identity but also reveal the existence of unsuspected control mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Isolation of Y chromosome-specific sequences from Silene latifolia and mapping of male sex-determining genes using representational difference analysis.

The genomic subtraction method representational difference analysis (RDA) was used to identify male-specific restriction fragments in the dioecious plant Silene latifolia. Male-specific restriction fragments are linked to the male sex chromosome (the Y chromosome). Four RDA-derived male-specific restriction fragments were used to identify polymorphisms in a collection of X-ray-generated mutant plants with either hermaphroditic or asexual flowers. Some of the mutants have cytologically detectable deletions in the Y chromosome that were correlated with loss of male-specific restriction fragments. One RDA-derived probe detected a restriction fragment present in all mutants, indicating that each has retained Y chromosomal DNA. The other three probes detected genomic fragments that were linked in a region deleted in some hermaphroditic and some asexual mutants. Based on the mutant phenotypes and the correlation of cytologically visible deletions with loss of male-specific restriction fragments, these markers were assigned to positions on the Y chromosome close to the carpel suppression locus. This RDA mapping also revealed a Y-linked locus, not previously described, which is responsible for early stamen development.

DNA, Plant↗