Analysis of MIKC c -type MADS-box genes and proteins in the fern Ceratopteris richardii
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
The MIKC c subfamily of MADS-box proteins play a key role in flowering plant reproduction, specifying and patterning the floral organs. MIKC C genes have been identified in non-flowering plants, the number increasing with the amount of whole-genome sequencing information available, but MIKC c functions outside flowering plants are less well understood. In this study, we have cloned and sequenced 14 of the 21 MIKC c genes in the model fern Ceratopteris richardii and identified expressed cDNAs/transcripts for a further 6 genes, extending and correcting previous genome-and transcriptome analysis. We have identified that the majority of Ceratopteris MIKC c genes are expressed in the reproductive sporophyte, with some genes showing reproductive specificity. Using protein alignments and structural modelling, we have shown that Ceratopteris MIKC C proteins are structurally diverse, with over half the proteins possessing extended regions N-terminal to the MADS DNA binding domain, suggesting divergent functions or regulation.
