Cloning and characterization of two cDNAs encoding rice MADS box protein

To elucidate the relationship between MADS box gene and rice morphogenesis, RT-PCR with MADS domain specific primers was performed to isolate MADS box gene from young panicle of rice "Zhenshan 97B". Two cDNAs, designated as n mads1 and nmads3, displayed the structure of a typical plant MADS hox gene which consists of the MADS domain, I region, K domain, and C-terminal regio n. Based on sequence homology, nmads1 is classified as a member of GLO subf amily, and nmads3 belongs to AGL2 subfamily. Hybridization analysis reveale d that nmads1 and nmads3 were preferentially expressed in rice redifferenti ated callus and young panicles but were not in rice seedling. An additional transcript of nmads1 was also found in young panicle of cytoplasmic male-s terile line Zhenshan 97A but was not in its maintenance line Zhanshan 97B.