The MADS box gene AOM1 is expressed in reproductive meristems and flowers of the dioecious species Asparagus officinalis

MADS box genes an implicated in different steps of plant development. Some of them are expressed in vegetative organs. Most of them, however, are expr essed in flower tissues and are involved in different phases of flower deve lopment. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of an Asparagu s officinalis MADS box gene, AOM1. The deduced AOM1 protein shows the highe st degree of similarity with FBP2 of Petunia hybrida and AGL9 (SEPS), AGL2 (SEP1) and AGL4 (SEP2) of Arabidopsis thaliana. In situ hybridization analy ses, however, show that the expression profile of AOM1 is different from th at of these genes: AOM1 is expressed not only in flower organs but also in inflorescence and flower meristems. These data indicate a possible function of AOM1 during flower development as well as in earlier stages of the flow ering process. Asparagus officinalis is a dioecious species which bears mal e and female flowers on different individuals. AOM1, which is expressed ver y early during the process of flowering and has a similar expression profil e in male and female flowers, does not seems to be involved in asparagus se x differentiation.