Identification and characterization of genes connected with flower morphogenesis in cucumber

Abstract

Sex determination and flower morphogenesis are very broad and complex processes controlled at many levels. Four clones have been isolated from cucumber transcriptomes, mapped onto the cucumber genome and checked if the corresponding genes expression differed between the vegetative and generative tissues (leaf, shoot apex, and 1- to 2-mm flower buds) of monoecious and gynoecious cucumber lines. To determine the role, and characteristics of identified genes in flower morphogenesis, as well as to understand the flower reproduction in cucumber, comprehensive computational studies using upstream regulatory elements and protein motifs were performed. A genome-wide overview of cucumber clones revealed that sequence of only one clone was mapped in the coding site. The gene was described as CsPSTK1 encoding serine/threonine kinase. The results allow us to conclude that cucumber generative organs differ in responsiveness to plant hormones due to the distinct signal transductions that are mediated by protein kinases in male and female organs of the floral buds and shoot apices. Protein kinases may be an alternative way for hormonal signal transduction in flowers of the opposite sex, taking part in the inhibition of unwanted generative organs that cause the development of a unisex flower.