Isolation and Characterization of an AGAMOUS Homolog from Fraxinus pennsylvanica

An AGAMOUS homolog (FpAG) was isolated from green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method. Southern blot analysis indicated that FpAG was present as a single-copy sequence in the genome of green ash. RNA accumulated in the reproductive tissues (female inflorescence, male inflorescence, and fruit) and vegetative tissues (leaves and in vitro-germinated seedlings). Expression was higher in reproductive tissues than in vegetative tissues. Ectopic expression of FpAG in transgenic Arabidopsis plants resulted in a range of weak to strong APETALA2 (AP2) mutant-like phenotypes, including early flowering, curly leaves, and conversion of petals to stamens. These data indicate functional homology between FpAG and AGAMOUS.