Poster: Regulation of gene expression

Abs # 739: Ectopic expression of Arabidopsis AP2 domain transcription factor gene BABY BOOM alters leaf morphology and fertility in Nicotiana tabacum

Presenter:	Srinivasan, Chinnathambi -, srinivas@afrs.ars.usda.gov
Authors	Srinivasan, Chinnathambi - (A)   Liu, Zongrang  (A)   Scorza, Ralph  (A)
Affiliations:	(A): USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station

The Arabidopsis BABY BOOM(BBM)gene shows similarity to the AP2/EREBP multigene family of transcription factors unique to plants, which regulate plant development and hormonal signaling. Ectopic expression of BBM gene in Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Wisconsin altered leaf and flower morphology and fertility. Transgenic plants containing BBM were relatively short, grew slowly, and flowered late. Leaves exhibited wavy margin and interveinal areas of laminae were depressed. Transgenic plants produced white flowers with long calices and short filaments, while the control plants produced pinkish flowers with short calices and long filaments. Pollen germination was low and ovules appeared to be sterile. Light, scanning and transmission microscopic observations of leaves and flowers of transgenic plants showed alterations in morphology and ultrastructures. Molecular characterization of BBM gene expression in Nicotiana tabacumwill be presented.