Isolation and Characterization of a MADS-box Gene cDNA, PnMADS1, That is Expressed in Both Vegetative and Floral Meristems of Pharbitis nil

抄録

A novel cDNA corresponding to a gene designated PnMADS1 and encoding a MADS-box protein was isolated from the short-day plant Pharbitis nil (Japanese morning glory) cv. Violet. Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequence encoded by PnMADS1 indicated that PnMADS1 does not belong to any of the major sub-groups of MADS-box proteins. The protein exhibited some similarity to proteins in the so-called ‘orphan group’ of unclassified MADS-box proteins that are mainly expressed in vegetative organs. The most similar MADS-box genes were AGL24 and StMADS16 (53.2% and 52.3% identity at the deduced amino-acid level, respectively). We obtained evidence that PnMADS1 mRNA accumulates in both vegetative and floral meristems but not in any other vegetative organs. Our results indicate that PnMADS1 is a novel MADS-box protein in terms of both structure and pattern of expression.