Cloning and characterization of PhPI9 involved in floral development from Phalaenopsis Orchid

• DOI: 10.1007/s11515-007-0062-y
• Publication Date: 2007-09-22T19:01:52Z
• Authors: Bin Guo; Wei Dai; Donghong Chen; Xing Wei; Feng Ming
• Keywords: Phalaenopsis; MADS-box; Orchidaceae; Cloning (programming); Subclade

In the attempt to discover new genes involved in the floral development in monocotyledonousin species, we have cloned and characterized the homologous PISTALLATA-like (PI-like) gene from Phalaenopsis hybrid cultivar named PhPI9 (Ph alaenopsis PI STILLATA # 9). The cDNA of PhPI9 has a fragment of 834 bp and has 60% identity with the PISTILATA from Arabidopsis. The deduced amino acid sequence of PhPI9 had the typical PI-motif. It also formed a subclade with other monocot PI-type genes in phylogenetic analysis. Southern analysis showed that PhPI9 was present in the Phalaenopsis orchid genome as a single copy. Furthermore, it was expressed only in the lip of the Phalaenopsis flower and no expression was detected in vegetative organs. Thus, as a B-function MADS-box gene, PhPI9 specifies floral organ identity in orchids.