Ectopic expression of from Fortune, a PLE-lineage MADS-box gene, influences leaf, floral organ and silique morphology in .

In order to ascertain the regulatory mechanism of fruit development in Fortune, the complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of the () orthologous gene was identified by Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends technology and the corresponding gene was named . The expression pattern of was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and wild-type Col-0 plants were transformed with the gene using and the floral-dip method. Expression analyses indicated that was highly expressed in flowers, silicles and seeds. Compared to wild-type plants, transgenic lines bolted earlier. Detailed phenotypic observations showed that the size of the rosette and cauline leaves in transgenic lines was reduced and the cauline leaves of the transgenic lines were incurved and displayed a funnel-like shape. During the reproductive growth stage, transgenic plants produced shortened sepals and the flower buds were not encapsulated completely. Moreover, the petals of the transgenic lines were converted into stamineous tissues, accompanied by exposed stamens, short malformed siliques and wrinkled valves, indicating a severe decline in fertility. These experimental conclusions are valuable as a reference for the breeding of medicinal plants.