Characterization of MADS-Box Gene Family in <i>Isatis indigotica</i> and Functional Study of <i>IiAP1</i> in Regulating Floral Transition and Formation

In flowering plants, MADS-box genes play regulatory roles in flower induction, floral initiation, and floral morphogenesis. <i>Isatis indigotica</i> (<i>I</i>. <i>indigotica</i>) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. However, available information concerning M...

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Main Authors: Yanqin Ma, Yanhong Lan, Ju Li, Haicheng Long, Yujie Zhou, Zhi Li, Mingjun Miao, Jian Zhong, Haie Wang, Wei Chang, Ziqin Xu, Liang Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/129
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Summary:In flowering plants, MADS-box genes play regulatory roles in flower induction, floral initiation, and floral morphogenesis. <i>Isatis indigotica</i> (<i>I</i>. <i>indigotica</i>) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. However, available information concerning MADS-box genes in <i>I</i>. <i>indigotica</i> is insufficient. Based on the sequencing data of the <i>I</i>. <i>indigotica</i> transcriptome, we identified MADS-box gene-encoding transcription factors that have been shown to play critical roles in developmental processes. In this study, 102 <i>I</i>. <i>indigotica</i> MADS-box genes were identified and categorized into type I (Mα, Mβ, and Mγ) and type II (MIKC<sup>C</sup> and MIKC*) subfamilies. IiMADS proteins in the same cluster had similar motifs and gene structures. In total, 102 IiMADS-box genes were unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes. <i>APETALA1</i> (<i>AP1</i>) encodes a MADS-box transcription factor which plays a pivotal role in determining floral meristem identity and also modulates developmental processes within the perianth. We then selected <i>IiAP1</i> for functional studies and found that it is localized to the nucleus and highly expressed in inflorescence, sepals, and petals. The ectopic expression of <i>IiAP1</i> in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering and abnormal development of floral organs. Taken together, this research study carried out a systematic identification of MADS-box genes in <i>I</i>. <i>indigotica</i> and demonstrated that <i>IiAP1</i> takes part in the regulation of floral transition and formation.
ISSN:2223-7747