Cloning and characterization of a FLORICAULA/LEAFY ortholog, PFL, in polygamous papaya.

摘要: The homologous genes Floricaula (FLO) in Antirrhinum and LEAFY (LFY) Arabidopsis are known to regulate the initiation of flowering these two distantly related plant species. These necessary also for expression downstream that control floral organ identity. We used LFY cDNA as a probe clone sequence papaya ortholog LFY, PFL. It encodes protein shares 61% identity with gene 71% homologs woody tree species: California sycamore (Platanus racemosa) black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). Despite high similarity within conserved regions, N-terminal proline-rich motif PFL differs from other members family. This difference may not affect function PFL, since an equally divergent but functional Needly Pinus radiata has been reported. Genomic BAC Southern analyses indicated there is only one copy genome. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated expressed at relatively low level leaf primordia, it meristem. Quantitative PCR revealed was flower buds all three sex types - male, female, hermaphrodite marginal between unisexual flowers. data suggest play similar role development limited effect on differentiation papaya.