AP1 — Brassica oleracea

Summary

BoAP1 (AP1, AGL7) on chromosome 6 of cabbage encodes a MADS-box transcription factor with RNA polymerase II-specific DNA-binding activity, chromatin binding, and transcriptional co-regulator functions. It is associated with floral whorl development, floral meristem identity, fruit development, and cauline leaf development. The gene is linked to numerous traits including flower and sepal morphology, petal number, carpel shape, fruit shape and shattering, seed color, leaf margin serration, stem diameter, inflorescence size, and responses to boron, potassium, and silver ions. Associations also include abscisic acid breakdown, proanthocyanidin regulation, seed dormancy release, and cellular responses to biotic stimuli. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to pod shatter resistance, seed yield, petal and stamen identity, leaf longevity, temperature-responsive flowering, and nematode resistance.