Tomato flower abnormalities induced by low temperatures are associated with changes of expression of MADS-box genes

  1. Lozano, R. 2
  2. Angosto, T. 2
  3. Gómez, P. 2
  4. Payán, C. 2
  5. Capel, J. 2
  6. Huijser, P. 3
  7. Salinas, J. 1
  8. Martínez-Zapater, J.M. 1
  1. 1 Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria
    info

    Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/011q66e29

  2. 2 Universidad de Almería
    info

    Universidad de Almería

    Almería, España

    ROR https://ror.org/003d3xx08

  3. 3 Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research
    info

    Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research

    Colonia, Alemania

    ROR https://ror.org/044g3zk14

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Revista:
Plant Physiology

ISSN: 0032-0889

Any de publicació: 1998

Volum: 117

Número: 1

Pàgines: 91-100

Tipus: Article

SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-0039388875 GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Altres publicacions en: Plant Physiology

Resum

Flower and fruit development in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were severely affected when plants were grown at low temperatures, displaying homeotic and meristic transformations and alterations in the fusion pattern of the organs. Most of these homeotic transformations modified the identity of stamens and carpels, giving rise to intermediate organs. Complete homeotic transformations were rarely found and always affected organs of the reproductive whorls. Meristic transformations were also commonly observed in the reproductive whorls, which developed with an excessive number of organs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that meristic transformations take place very early in the development of the flower and are related to a significant increase in the floral meristem size. However, homeotic transformations should occur later during the development of the organ primordia. Steady-state levels of transcripts corresponding to tomato MADS-box genes TM4, TM5, TM6, and TAG1 were greatly increased by low temperatures and could be related to these flower abnormalities. Moreover, in situ hybridization analyses showed that low temperatures also altered the stage-specific expression of TM4.