Ectopic Expression of the Homeotic MADS-Box Gene HAM31 (Helianthus annuus L.) in Transgenic Plants Nicotiana tabacum L. Affects the Gynoecium Identity.

The structure of the MADS-box gene HAM31 of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was characterized. It is shown that the product of this gene is an ortholog of the B-class MADS transcription factor PISTILLATA (Arabidopsis thaliana). Two types of transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) with the constitutive expression of the HAM31 gene in the sense and antisense orientation were obtained. The 35S::HAM31s plants formed flowers with an altered gynoecium identity, whereas 35S::HAM31as plants did not differ from the control.