Abstract
The architecture of rice inflorescence is regulated primarily by the pattern of axially meristem formation and differentiation of axillary meristems. In order to understand the genetic network regulating inflorescence development, we performed a microarray analysis and isolated genes that are expressed specifically in rice inflorescence. We identified 358 genes showing inflorescence specific expression. Among the 358 genes, 19 showed rapid transcriptional induction after the shift to reproductive stage. In situ analysis of these genes revealed that they are expressed in spatially and temporally unique patterns. Interestingly, a gene that belongs to a DOF family transcription factor exhibited a similar expression pattern to that of LAX, a main regulator of axillary meristem formation in rice. Furthermore, expression of this gene was decreased in the SAM of lax-2 mutant, suggesting that this gene regulates inflorescence development under the control of LAX.
