Functional analysis of rice class G MADS-box genes by using the osmads6 mutant

Abstract

Specification of floral organs in rice is controlled by mechanisms similar to the so-called "ABCDE morel" of Arabidopsis thaliana. Although many MADS-box genes are known to be involved in the regulation, its detail is still unclear. OsMADS6 is one of rice class G MADS-box genes whose function is unknown. We have reported that the OsMADS6 RNAi lines showed alteration in the identities and numbers of several floral organs.
In this research, by using double mutants of OsMADS6 and other MADS-box genes, we investigated the relationship between OsMADS6 and other MADS-box genes. Also, we analyzed interaction of rice MADS-box proteins by yeast two-hybrid experiment. We discuss the function of class-G MADS-box genes and their interaction with other MADS-box genes, in rice floral organ determination.