Understanding meristem function in the morphologically flexible genus Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae)
In Arabidopsis the gene SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM) controls the formation of the shoot apical meristem (SAM). In certain species of Streptocarpus no conventional SAM is present. The plant body, in the extreme, arises from only one enlarged cotyledon that becomes the only foliar organ. The Gesneriaceae homologue of STM (SKNOX I) has been isolated from Streptocarpus species and its involvement in the vegetative meristem initiation in Streptocarpus investigated. Alongside STM other genes, belonging to different families of transcription factors, known to be involved in meristem functions (such as ARP, WUS, KNOX1 and FIL) have also been isolated and their expression patterns currently analysed in diverse species of Streptocarpus.
People
Michael Möller - Group leader
Alberto Spada - Collaborating group leader, University of Milan
Toshiyuki Nagata - Collaborating group leader, University of Tokyo
Raffaella Mantegazza - PhD student 2003-06
Kanae Nishi - PhD student 2003-06
Jill Harrison - PhD student 1999-02
Publications
Mantegazza R, Möller M, Harrison CJ, Fior S, De Luca C, Spada A. (2007) Anisocotyly and meristem initiation in an unorthodox plant, Streptocarpus rexii (Gesneriaceae). Planta.225:653-663.
Harrison J, Möller M, Langdale J, Cronk Q, Hudson A. (2005) The role of KNOX genes in the evolution of morphological novelty in Streptocarpus. Plant Cell. 17:430-443.
Möller M, Cronk QC. (2001) Evolution of morphological novelty: a phylogenetic analysis of growth patterns in Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae). Evolution. 55:918-929.