Find in Library

MADS-box is a vital transcription factor family that functions in plant growth and development. Apart from <i>APETALA2</i>, all genes in the ABCDE model that explain the molecular mechanism of floral organ development belong to the MADS-box family. Carpel and ovule numbers in plants are essential agronomic traits that determine seed yield, and multilocular siliques have great potential for the development of high-yield varieties of <i>Brassica</i>. In this study, ABCDE genes in the MADS-box family from <i>Brassica rapa</i> were identified and characterized. Their tissue-specific expression patterns in floral organs and their differential expression in different pistil types of <i>B</i>. <i>rapa</i> were revealed by qRT-PCR. A total of 26 ABCDE genes were found to belong to the MADS-box family. Our proposed ABCDE model of <i>B</i>. <i>rapa</i> is consistent with that of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>, indicating that ABCDE genes are functionally conserved. These results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of class C and D genes were significantly different between the wild-type (wt) and tetracarpel (<i>tetrac</i>) mutant of <i>B</i>. <i>rapa</i>. Interestingly, the expression of the homologs of class E genes was imbalanced. Therefore, it is speculated that class C, D, and E genes are involved in developing the carpel and ovule of <i>B</i>. <i>rapa</i>. Our findings reveal the potential for the selection of candidate genes to improve yield traits in <i>Brassica</i> crops.