Characterization of KNOX genes in Medicago truncatula

Plant Mol Biol. 2008 May;67(1-2):135-50. doi: 10.1007/s11103-008-9307-7. Epub 2008 Feb 15.

Abstract

We isolated three class I and three class II KNOX genes in Medicago truncatula. The predicted amino acid sequences suggested a possible orthology to the Arabidopsis homeodomain proteins STM, KNAT1/BP, KNAT3 and KNAT7 that was confirmed by phylogenetic and conserved structural domain analyses. Moreover, the STM-like MtKNOX1 and MtKNOX6 proteins were shown to retain the capability to interact with the Arabidopsis BELL protein partners of STM and KNAT1/BP. Amino acid residues that characterize the different classes of KNOX proteins were identified. Gene expression studies revealed organ-specificity, possible cytokinin-dependent transcriptional activation of two MtKNOXs and expression of one STM-like and a BP/KNAT1-like MtKNOX in roots. Interestingly, mRNA localization studies carried out on class I MtKNOX genes revealed important differences with previously characterised legume KNOXs. M. truncatula transcripts were not down-regulated in leaf primordia and early stages of leaf development, features shared with the more distant compound-leaved species Solanum lycopersicum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cytokinins / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Gibberellins / pharmacology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / chemistry
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Medicago truncatula / drug effects
  • Medicago truncatula / genetics*
  • Medicago truncatula / metabolism
  • Meristem / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Growth Regulators / pharmacology
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / genetics
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Plant Shoots / genetics
  • Plant Shoots / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokinins
  • Gibberellins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Plant Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB033478
  • GENBANK/AB033479
  • GENBANK/AB033480
  • GENBANK/AB033481
  • GENBANK/AB033482
  • GENBANK/AB033483
  • GENBANK/EF128056
  • GENBANK/EF128057
  • GENBANK/EF128058
  • GENBANK/EF128059
  • GENBANK/EF128060
  • GENBANK/EF128061