Journal
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Volume 123, Issue 4, Pages 1387-1397Publisher
AMER SOC PLANT PHYSIOLOGISTS
DOI: 10.1104/pp.123.4.1387
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The diploid annual legume Medicago truncatula has been developed as a tractable genetic system for studying biological questions that are unique to, or well suited for study in legume species. An efficient mutagenesis protocol using ethyl-methyl sulfonate and a polymorphic ecotype with properties appropriate for use as a mapping parent are described. Isolation and characterization of three developmental mutants are described. The mtapetala mutation results in homeotic conversions of floral organ whorls 2 and 3 into sepals and carpelloid structures, respectively, similar to mutations in the apetala3/pistillata genes of Arabidopsis. The palmyra mutation primarily affects seedling shoot meristem initiation, and thus phenocopies meristem function mutations identified in Arabidopsis such as the zwille locus. The phenotype of the palmyra and mtapetala double mutant is additive, with seedling shoot meristems and floral organs indistinguishable from those of the single palmyra and mtapetala mutants, respectively. These results are consistent with a lack of genetic interaction between these loci. A third mutant, speckle, is characterized by spontaneous necrotic lesion formation on leaves, root, and stems, similar to necrosis mutants identified in other plant species. In addition to documenting the efficient mutagenesis of M. truncatula, the availability of developmental mutants that phenocopy characterized Arabidopsis mutants will provide a basis for establishing orthologous gene function between M. truncatula and Arabidopsis, once the genes responsible are cloned. Moreover, the male-sterile, female-fertile nature of the mtapetala mutant provides a convenient tool for genetic analyses in M. truncatula.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available