ZANIS, MICHAEL1*, DOUGLAS SOLTIS2, PAMELA SOLTIS3, and SANGTAE KIM3. 1School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA; 2Department of Botany and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA; 3Florida Museum of Natural History and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. - Isolation and characterization of B-Class MADS-Box genes from basal angiosperms.
MADS-box genes are a large family of transcription factors found in
yeast, animals, and plants. In plants, MADS-box genes control an array
of developmental processes ranging from flower and fruit development
to root development. MADS-box genes have been best characterized for
their role in the ABC model of flower development. Of the three
classes of MADS-box genes in the ABC model, the B class genes have
been best characterized. B class genes have been isolated from a
diverse array of angiosperms, and the phylogenetic history and
patterns of gene expression of this class of MADS-box genes are
becoming clear. We have isolated B class MADS-box genes from the ANITA
grade of basal angiosperms. Here we present a detailed protocol for
isolating RNA from basal angiosperms. We further estimate the
phylogenetic position, using both maximum parsimony and maximum
likelihood methods, of the B class genes isolated from
Amborella, Nuphar, and Illicium. Lastly, we
present preliminary gene expression data for AP3 and PI genes isolated
from Nuphar.
Key words: Basal Angiosperms, MADS-Box, Phylogeny, RT-PCR