Molecular control of normal and acrocona mutant seed cone development in Norway spruce (Picea abies) and the evolution of conifer ovule‐bearing organs. Issue 1 (17th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carlsbecker, Annelie; Sundström, Jens F.; Englund, Marie; Uddenberg, Daniel; Izquierdo, Liz; Kvarnheden, Anders; Vergara‐Silva, Francisco; Engström, Peter
• Is Part Of: New phytologist. Volume 200:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 275
• Publication Date: 2013-06-17
• Subjects: Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1111/nph.12360
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-646X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="nph12360-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p> <list id="nph12360-list-0001" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Reproductive organs in seed plants are morphologically divergent and their evolutionary history is often unclear. The mechanisms controlling their development have been extensively studied in angiosperms but are poorly understood in conifers and other gymnosperms. Here, we address the molecular control of seed cone development in Norway spruce, <italic>Picea abies</italic>.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>We present expression analyses of five novel MADS‐box genes in comparison with previously identified MADS and <italic>LEAFY</italic> genes at distinct developmental stages. In addition, we have characterized the homeotic transformation from vegetative shoot to female cone and associated changes in regulatory gene expression patterns occurring in the <italic>acrocona</italic> mutant.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The analyses identified genes active at the onset of ovuliferous and ovule development and identified expression patterns marking distinct domains of the ovuliferous scale. The reproductive transformation in <italic>acrocona</italic> involves the activation of all tested genes normally active in early cone development, except for an <italic>AGAMOUS‐LIKE6/SEPALLATA</italic> (<italic>AGL6/SEP</italic>) homologue. This absence may be functionally associated with the nondeterminate development of the <italic>acrocona</italic> ovule‐bearing scales.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Our morphological and gene expression analyses give support to the hypothesis that the modern cone is a complex structure, and the ovuliferous scale the result of reductions and compactions of an ovule‐bearing axillary short shoot in cones of Paleozoic conifers.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </abstract>