Identification of genes expressed during early Arabidopsis carpel development by mRNA differential display: characterisation of ATCEL2, a novel endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase gene.

The floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) imparts carpel identity on the fourth whorl of floral organs in wild-type Arabidopsis flowers. Less is known about the genes that regulate carpel patterning and differentiation. To identify cndidate regulators, we screened for genes expressed in developing carpels. Since Arabidopsis carpels are difficult to isolate, we used whole inflorescence apices of two floral homeotic mutants (pi and pi ag) and mRNA differential display, to identify carpel transcripts. Two of the resulting cDNA clones were shown to be expressed predominantly in flowers. They encoded AGL11, a MADS box transcription factor known to be expressed in the carpel and ovules, and a novel Arabidopsis endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase (ATCEL2). In situ hybridisation localised the ATCEL2 transcript to the developing septum and ovule primordia of young carpels.

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