Ontogeny and expression of the AP1 ortholog in the axilar bud of Passiflora edulis Sims and P. suberosa L. (Passifloraceae)

• Grant number: 11/11817-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2012
• End date: July 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Gladys Flávia de Albuquerque Melo de Pinna
• Grantee: Gladys Flávia de Albuquerque Melo de Pinna
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Marcelo Carnier Dornelas

Abstract

The origin of tendrils in Passifloraceae has been differently interpreted by many authors. Given its position on the inflorescence, it is often regarded as a modified terminal flower, or as the inflorescence first order axis itself. The inflorescences in Passifloraceae have many reduction degrees, being greatly pronounced in genus Passiflora, where a lateral bud gives rise to one or two flowers laterally to a central tendril. Transition from vegetative to reproductive meristem has long been known from a morpho-anatomical perspective, having some remarkable characteristics. Furthermore, in the last few decades, efforts have been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying transition and development of reproductive meristems and its products. Given the lack of studies addressing development of lateral meristems in Passiflora, both from anatomical and molecular approaches, this project aims to describes its ontogeny, as well as the expression of the arabidopsis AP1 ortholog in two Passiflora species. To do so, nodal regions of stem, ranging from the first primordia arising from the shoot apical meristem to nodes where the products of its axillary bud are morphologically distinct, will be assessed through scanning electron microscopy, seriate sections in light microscopy, as well as RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. New data regarding structure and development of the complex structure present in Passiflora leaf axil, in addition to insights on molecular mechanisms of its development are expected as results. (AU)