Abstract
The control of meristem identity is crucial for plants to determine their body plan. In particular, the transition from vegetative meristem to reproductive meristem and the transition from inflorescence meristem to floral meristem are essential for successful reproduction.
We searched for genes whose expression is induced in the rice SAM by the transition to the reproductive phase. It was found that OsMADS34 was most highly up-regulated and expression of OsMADS14 and OsMADS15 was also enhanced. We already reported that OsMADS34 is one of grass species specific SEP genes and is necessary to determine the spikelet identity. Both OsMADS14 and OsMADS15 are orthologs of Arabidopsis AP1 that determines floral identity. Based on this information, we hypothesize that these three MADS-box genes work together as positive controllers of meristem fate transition. To test this idea, we examined the genetic and molecular interaction among them.
We will discuss the role of OsMADS34 in the transition of meristem identity in grass species.
