AP3 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT3G54340 (AP3, APETALA 3) encodes a MADS-box transcription factor with DNA-binding and protein heterodimerization activity, belonging to the MEF2-like and K-box domain families. In Arabidopsis, AP3 is associated with floral organ development, petal identity, stamen morphogenesis, petal formation, and maintenance of floral organ identity. The gene is linked to numerous floral traits including petal number, stamen number, carpel shape, flower morphology, and inflorescence branching, as well as male fertility, pollen viability, and seed longevity. AP3 localizes to the nucleus and is associated with chlorophyll a breakdown, response to silver ion, and intercellular transport. Studies of related genes in other species link the AP3 family to fruit development, female flower development, and disease resistance.