OVER-EXPRESSION OF AN AUX1 HOMOLOG TRIGGERS OVARY INITIATION IN VITRO OF POPULUS TOMENTOSA CARR.

PtAUX1,an ortholog of Arabidopsis AtAUX1(encoding auxin influx carrier protein),has been cloned from Populus tomentosa.PtAUX1 protein is similar to Arabidopsis AtAUX1 in structure,but PtAUX1 contains an additional cAMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site.Its overexpression lines driven by 35S promoter exhibits a novel phenotype related flower development which has not been revealed in AtAUX1 mutants.Ovary-like structures each with 1～2 styles,but without a cup-like disc and a bract,can initial from regenerated transgenic bud in cluster,resembling an inflorescence.The histological dissections illuminate that the ovarylike structures have womb and transmitting tissue inner its styles,but no ovules.PtAUX1 expression pattern are ubiquitous and various in different organs,which is coincident with its candidate auxin influx,functioning in distributing auxin thorough a plant body.These results suggest that PtAUX1 or polar auxin transport has a substantial function in floral organ initiation.