Function of two rice class-G MADS-box genes in flower organ development

Abstract

Determination of flower organ identity is controlled by many MADS-box genes in rice. It is regulated by a system mostly similar to the ABCDE model in dicot, but there are still many unknown points. We have reported OsMADS6 and OsMADS17 classified in class-G MADS-box genes whose functions are unclear.
Here, we analyze a novel osmads6 mutant allele fm50 which has an amino acid substitution in the MADS-domain. fm50 has more severe phenotype than other osmads6 mutant lines previously reported, i.e. ectopic glumes, disturbance of whorl structure, loss of meristem determinacy.
In addition, we made a construct which can knock down both OsMADS6 and OsMADS17, and introduced it into a weaker allele of osmads6. The phenotype of transgenic line is similar to that of fm50. From these investigations, we will discuss the function and relationship of the two rice class-G genes.