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Sequence evolution and sex-specific expression patterns of the C class floral identity gene, SpAGAMOUS, in dioecious Spinacia oleracea L

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Abstract

Development in dioecious cultivated spinach, Spinacia oleracea, is distinguished by the absence of alternative reproductive organ primordia in male and female flowers. Given the highly derived floral developmental program in spinach, we wished to characterize a spinach C class floral identity gene and to determine the patterns of sequence evolution as well as compare the spatial and temporal expression patterns with those of AGAMOUS. The isolated cDNA sequence clusters phylogenetically within the AGAMOUS/FARINELLI C class clade. In comparison with the SLM1 sequence from the related Silene latifolia, amino acid replacements are highly conservative and non-randomly distributed, being predominantly found in hinge regions or on exposed surfaces of helices. The spinach gene (SpAGAMOUS) appears to be exclusively expressed in reproductive tissues and not in vegetative organs. Initial expression of SpAGAMOUS is similar in male and female floral primordia. However, upon initiation of the first whorl organs, SpAGAMOUS becomes restricted to meristemic regions from which the reproductive primordia will develop. This results in an early gender-specific pattern. Thus, the spinach C class gene is differentially expressed prior to reproductive organ development and is, at least, correlated with, if not directly involved in, the sexual dimorphism in spinach.

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Abbreviations

SpAGAMOUS :

Spinacia AGAMOUS

SpAG :

SpAGAMOUS

G-6pdh :

Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription linked polymerase chain reaction

3′RACE:

Rapid amplification of 3′ cDNA ends

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to D. Carl Freeman (Wayne State University) for his introduction to and insight in the sexual dimorphism and lability of spinach. We thank John M. Lopes (Wayne State University) and Aleksandar Popadic (Wayne State University) for their insightful comments on a previous version of this manuscript.

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  1. Kevin J. Pobursky

    Present address: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    D. Noah. Sather, Amber York & Edward M. Golenberg

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  1. D. Noah. Sather
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  2. Amber York
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Correspondence to Edward M. Golenberg.

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Sather, D.N., York, A., Pobursky, K.J. et al. Sequence evolution and sex-specific expression patterns of the C class floral identity gene, SpAGAMOUS, in dioecious Spinacia oleracea L. Planta 222, 284–292 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-1544-2

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