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E M Meyerowitz

Publications and source records attributed to E M Meyerowitz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

A dominant mutant receptor from Arabidopsis confers ethylene insensitivity in heterologous plants.

Ethylene (C2H4) is a gaseous hormone that affects many aspects of plant growth and development. Ethylene perception requires specific receptors and a signal transduction pathway to coordinate downstream responses. The etr1-1 gene of Arabidopsis encodes a mutated receptor that confers dominant ethylene insensitivity. Evidence is presented here that etr1-1 also causes significant delays in fruit ripening, flower sensecence; and flower abscission when expressed in tomato and petunia plants. The ability of etr1-1 to function in heterologous plants suggests that this pathway of hormone recognition and response is highly conserved and can be manipulated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Determination of floral organ identity by Arabidopsis MADS domain homeotic proteins AP1, AP3, PI, and AG is independent of their DNA-binding specificity.

The MADS domain homeotic proteins APETALA1 (AP1), APETALA3 (AP3), PISTILLATA (PI), and AGAMOUS (AG) combinatorially specify the identity of Arabidopsis floral organs. AP1/AP1, AG/AG, and AP3/PI dimers bind to similar CArG box sequences; thus, differences in DNA-binding specificity among these proteins do not seem to be the origin of their distinct organ identity properties. To assess the overall contribution that specific DNA binding could make to their biological specificity, we have generated chimeric genes in which the amino-terminal half of the MADS domain of AP1, AP3, PI, and AG was substituted by the corresponding sequences of human SRF and MEF2A proteins. In vitro DNA-binding assays reveal that the chimeric proteins acquired the respective, and distinct, DNA-binding specificity of SRF or MEF2A. However, ectopic expression of the chimeric genes reproduces the dominant gain-of-function phenotypes exhibited by plants ectopically expressing the corresponding Arabidopsis wild-type genes. In addition, both the SRF and MEF2 chimeric genes can complement the pertinent ap1-1, ap3-3, pi-1, or ag-3 mutations to a degree similar to that of AP1, AP3, PI, and AG when expressed under the control of the same promoter. These results indicate that determination of floral organ identity by the MADS domain homeotic proteins AP1, AP3, PI, and AG is independent of their DNA-binding specificity. In addition, the DNA-binding experiments show that either one of the two MADS domains of a dimer can be sufficient to confer a particular DNA-binding specificity to the complex and that sequences outside the amino-terminal basic region of the MADS domain can, in some cases, contribute to the DNA-binding specificity of the proteins.

AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1997

Molecular dissection of the AGAMOUS control region shows that cis elements for spatial regulation are located intragenically.

AGAMOUS (AG) is an Arabidopsis MADS box gene required for the normal development of the internal two whorls of the flower. AG RNA accumulates in distinct patterns early and late in flower development, and several genes have been identified as regulators of AG gene expression based on altered AG RNA accumulation in mutants. To understand AG regulatory circuits, we are now identifying cis regulatory domains by characterizing AG::beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene fusions. These studies show that a normal AG::GUS staining pattern is conferred by a 9.8-kb region encompassing 6 kb of upstream sequences and 3.8 kb of intragenic sequences. Constructs lacking the 3.8-kb intragenic sequences confer a GUS staining pattern that deviates both spatially and temporally from normal AG expression. The GUS staining patterns in the mutants for the three negative regulators of AG, apetala2, leunig, and curly leaf, showed the predicted change of expression for the construct containing the intragenic sequences, but no significant change was observed for the constructs lacking this intragenic region. These results suggest that intragenic sequences are essential for AG regulation and that these intragenic sequences contain the ultimate target sites for at least some of the known regulatory molecules.

AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1997

TSO1 functions in cell division during Arabidopsis flower development.

We describe an Arabidopsis mutant, tso1, which develops callus-like tissues in place of floral organs. The tso1 floral meristem lacks properly organized three cell layers, and the nuclei of these cells are irregular in size and shape. Further analyses reveal partially formed cell walls and increased DNA ploidy in tso1 floral meristem cells, indicating defects in mitosis and cytokinesis. Our finding that TSO1 is required for organ formation in floral tissues but not in other tissues indicates that TSO1 may encode a floral-specific cell division component, or that TSO1 function is redundant in nonfloral tissues.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1997

MADS domain proteins in plant development.

The MADS domain (MCM1, AGAMOUS, DEFICIENS, and SRF, serum response factor) is a conserved DNA-binding/dimerization region present in a variety of transcription factors from different kingdoms. MADS box genes represent a large multigene family in vascular plants. In angiosperms, many of the genes of the MADS family are involved in different steps of flower development, most notably in the determination of floral meristem and organ identity. The roles that MADS box genes play, however, are not restricted to control the development of the plant reproductive structures. The genetic, molecular, and biochemical basis of the action of the MADS domain proteins in the plant life cycle are reviewed here.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

DNA-binding properties of Arabidopsis MADS domain homeotic proteins APETALA1, APETALA3, PISTILLATA and AGAMOUS.

The MADS domain proteins APETALA1 (AP1), APETALA3 (AP3), PISTILLATA (PI), and AGAMOUS (AG) specify the identity of Arabidopsis floral organs. AP1 and AG homocomplexes and AP3-PI heterocomplexes bind to CArG-box sequences. The DNA-binding properties of these complexes were investigated. We find that AP1, AG and AP3-PI are all capable of recognizing the same DNA-binding sites, although with somewhat different affinities. In addition, the three complexes induce similar conformational changes on a CArG-box sequence. Phasing analysis reveals that the induced distortion is DNA bending, oriented toward the minor groove. The molecular dissection of AP1, AP3, PI and AG indicates that the boundaries of the dimerization domains of these proteins vary. The regions required to form a DNA-binding complex include, in addition to the MADS box, the entire L region (which follows the MADS box) and the first putative amphipathic helix of the K box in the case of AP3-PI, while for AP1 and AG only a part of the L region is needed. The similarity of the DNA-binding properties of AP1, AP3-PI and AG is discussed with regard to the biological specificity that these proteins exhibit.

AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1996

Dimerization specificity of Arabidopsis MADS domain homeotic proteins APETALA1, APETALA3, PISTILLATA, and AGAMOUS.

The MADS domain homeotic proteins APETALA1 (AP1), APETALA3 (AP3), PISTILLATA (PI), and AGAMOUS (AG) act in a combinatorial manner to specify the identity of Arabidopsis floral organs. The molecular basis for this combinatorial mode of action was investigated. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that all four proteins are capable of interacting with each other. However, these proteins exhibit "partner-specificity" for the formation of DNA-binding dimers; only AP1 homodimers, AG homodimers, and AP3/PI heterodimers are capable of binding to CArG-box sequences. Both the AP3/PI heterodimer and the AP1 or AG homodimers are formed when the three corresponding proteins are present together. The use of chimeric proteins formed by domain swapping indicates that the L region (which follows the MADS box) constitutes a key molecular determinant for the selective formation of DNA-binding dimers. The implications of these results for the ABC genetic model of flower development are discussed.

AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1996

Mapping the protein regions responsible for the functional specificities of the Arabidopsis MADS domain organ-identity proteins.

The Arabidopsis MADS domain proteins AP1, AP3, PI, and AG specify floral organ identity. All of these proteins contain a MADS domain required for DNA binding and dimerization; a region termed L (linker between MADS domain and K domain), which plays an important role in dimerization specificity; the K domain, named for its similarity to the coiled-coil domain of keratin; and a C-terminal region of unknown function. To determine which regions of these proteins are responsible for their abilities to specify different organs, we have made a number of chimeric MADS box genes. The in vivo function of these chimeric genes was investigated by ectopic expression in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The four proteins fall into two classes on the basis of regions responsible for their functional specificities. The L region and K domain define the functional specificities of AP3 and PI, while the MADS domain and L region define the functional specificities of AP1 and AG.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Plant development: local control, global patterning.

Several different lines of inquiry have converged on the conclusion that the number and plane of cell divisions is under tight control in plant development. At the same time, there are new data which show that the pattern of cell division is less important in the formation of organ-scale plant patterns than was expected previously. This apparent paradox can be resolved by recognizing the role of cell-cell communication in the control of plant cell-division patterns.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1996

The Arabidopsis homeotic genes APETALA3 and PISTILLATA are sufficient to provide the B class organ identity function.

The class B organ identity genes, APETALA3 and PISTILLATA, are required to specify petal and stamen identity in the Arabidopsis flower. We show here that the activities of these two genes are sufficient to specify petals and stamens in flowers, in combination with the class A and C genes, respectively. Flowers of plants constitutively expressing both PISTILLATA and APETALA3 under the control of the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus consist of two outer whorls of petals and inner whorls of stamens. These plants also exhibit vegetative phenotypes that are not present in either of the singly (APETALA3 or PISTILLATA) overexpressing lines. These phenotypes include leaf curling and the partial conversion of later-arising cauline leaves to petals. The presence of additional floral whorls in flowers ectopically expressing APETALA3 and PISTILLATA and the rescue of missing organs in class A mutants by ectopic B function suggest that APETALA3 and PISTILLATA play an additional role in proliferation of the floral meristem.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1996

Mutations in the PERIANTHIA gene of Arabidopsis specifically alter floral organ number and initiation pattern.

An open question in developmental biology is how groups of dividing cells can generate specific numbers of segments or organs. We describe the phenotypic effects of mutations in PERIANTHIA, a gene specifically required for floral organ patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana. Most wild-type Arabidopsis flowers have 4 sepals, 4 petals, 6 stamens, and 2 carpels. Flowers of perianthia mutant plants most commonly show a pentamerous pattern of 5 sepals, 5 petals 5 stamens, and 2 carpels. This pattern is characteristic of flowers in a number of plant families, but not in the family Brassicaceae, which includes Arabidopsis. Unlike previously described mutations affecting floral organ number, perianthia does not appear to affect apical or floral meristem sizes, nor is any other aspect of vegetative or floral development severely affected. Floral organs in perianthia arise in a regular, stereotypical pattern similar to that in distantly related species with pentamerous flowers. Genetic analysis shows that PERIANTHIA acts downstream of the floral meristem identity genes and independently of the floral meristem size and floral organ identity genes in establishing floral organ initiation patterns. Thus PERIANTHIA acts in a previously unidentified process required for organ patterning in Arabidopsis flowers.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1996

The CLAVATA and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS loci competitively regulate meristem activity in Arabidopsis.

The CLAVATA (CLV1 and CLV3) and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) genes specifically regulate shoot meristem development in Arabidopsis. CLV and STH appear to have opposite functions: c1v1 and Clv3 mutants accumulate excess undifferentiated cells in the shoot and floral meristem, while stm mutants fail to form the undifferentiated cells of the shoot meristem during embryonic development. We have identified a weak allele of stm (stm-2) that reveals STM is not only required for the establish- ment of the shoot meristem, but is also required for the continued maintenance of undifferentiated cells in the shoot meristem and for proper proliferation of cells in the floral meristem. We have found evidence of genetic interactions between the CLV and STM loci. clv1 and c1v3 mutations partially suppressed the stm-1 and stm-2 phenotypes, and were capable of suppression in a dominant fashion. clv stm double mutants and plants homozygous for stm but heterozygous for clv, while still lacking an embryonic shoot meristem, exhibited greatly enhanced postembryonic shoot and floral meristem development. Although stm phenotypes are recessive, stm mutations dominantly suppressed clv homozygous and heterozygous phenotypes. These results indicate that the stm phenotype is sensitive to the levels of CLV activity, while the clv phenotype is sensitive to the level of STM activity. We propose that these genes play related but opposing roles in the regulation of cell division and/or cell differentiation in shoot and floral meristems.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1995

Role of SUPERMAN in maintaining Arabidopsis floral whorl boundaries.

The Arabidopsis gene SUPERMAN (SUP) is necessary for the proper spatial development of reproductive floral tissues. Recessive mutations cause extra stamens to form interior to the normal third whorl stamens, at the expense of fourth whorl carpel development. The mutant phenotype is associated with the ectopic expression of the B function genes, AP3 and PI, in the altered floral region, closer to the centre of the flower than in the wild type, and ap3 sup and pi sup double mutants exhibit a phenotype similar to ap3 and pi single mutants. These findings led to SUP being interpreted as an upstream negative regulator of the B function organ-identity genes, acting in the fourth whorl, to establish a boundary between stamen and carpel whorls. Here we show, using molecular cloning and analysis, that it is expressed in the third whorl and acts to maintain this boundary in developing flowers. The putative SUPERMAN protein contains one zinc-finger and a region resembling a basic leucine zipper motif, suggesting a function in transcriptional regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Ethylene insensitivity conferred by Arabidopsis ERS gene.

ERS (ethylene response sensor), a gene in the Arabidopsis thaliana ethylene hormone-response pathway, was uncovered by cross-hybridization with the Arabidopsis ETR1 gene. The deduced ERS protein has sequence similarity with the amino-terminal domain and putative histidine protein kinase domain of ETR1, but it does not have a receiver domain as found in ETR1. A missense mutation identical to the dominant etr1-4 mutation was introduced into the ERS gene. The altered ERS gene conferred dominant ethylene insensitivity to wild-type Arabidopsis. Double-mutant analysis indicates that ERS acts upstream of the CTR1 protein kinase gene in the ethylene-response pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

The ethylene hormone response in Arabidopsis: a eukaryotic two-component signaling system.

The simple gas ethylene affects numerous physiological processes in the growth and development of higher plants. With the use of molecular genetic approaches, we are beginning to learn how plants perceive ethylene and how this signal is transduced. Components of ethylene signal transduction are defined by ethylene response mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana. The genes corresponding to two of these mutants, etr1 and etr1, have been cloned. The ETR1 gene encodes a homolog of two-component regulators that are known almost exclusively in prokaryotes. The two-component regulators in prokaryotes are involved in the perception and transduction of a wide range of environmental signals leading to adaptive responses. The CTR1 gene encodes a homolog of the Raf family of serine/threonine protein kinases. Raf is part of a mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade known to regulate cell growth and development in mammals, worms, and flies. The ethylene response pathway may, therefore, exemplify a conserved protein kinase cascade regulated by a two-component system. The dominance of all known mutant alleles of ETR1 may be due to either constitutive activation of the ETR1 protein or dominant interference of wild-type activity. The discovery of Arabidopsis genes encoding proteins related to ETR1 suggests that the failure to recover recessive etr1 mutant alleles may be due to the presence of redundant genes.

Journal Article↗