Origin of floral asymmetry in Antirrhinum
Article Abstract:
The cycloidea (cyc) and dichotoma (dich) genes are expressed in the dorsal regions of floral meristems at a very early stage and are responsible for the dorsoventral asymmetry in the flower, Antirrhinum. The cyc gene decreases primordium initiation and growth rate in the dorsal region of the flower meristem. The transcripts of the gene are present in the staminode primordia and dorsal petal throughout the process of floral asymmetry development. The cyc and the dich genes also establish dorsoventral asymmetry in the individual organs of the flower.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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An epigenetic mutation responsible for natural variation in floral symmetry
Article Abstract:
Linnaeus originally described a naturally occurring mutant of Linaria vulgaris (toadflax), in which the basic symmetry of the flower is changed from bilateral to radial, 250 years ago. A new study reveals that the change is due to a defect in Lcyc, a homologue of the cycloidea gene in Antirrinhum. The mutation is shown to be epigenetic in that the gene is normal but is switched off by extensive methylation. This condition, known as epimutation, is unstable and occasionally reverts to the wild type.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Control of inflorescence architecture in Antirrhinum
Article Abstract:
The mutation of the protein centroradialis (cen) causes the indeterminate inflorescence of the plant Antirrhinum to terminate in a flower. Scanning electron microscopy shows that cen is expressed in the inflorescence apex a few days after floral induction and combines with the gene floricaula to regulate flower position and form. Cen also prevents flo expression in the apical meristem.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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