Characterization of two CYP77 gene family members related to development of ornamental organs in petunia

Petunia is presently one of the most important ornamental bedding plants; also known as the model plants for oral organ characteristics research (Gerats and Vandenbussche 2005; Shimamura et al. 2007). With comprehensive function, researches of some ower-related genes, including the MADS-box transcription factors (Theissen 2001), the plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) genes (Azad et al. 2008), the -expansin gene (PhEXPA1) and the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) genes (Zenoni et al. 2004; Yamada et al. 2009), the molecular mechanism of oral organ differentiation and development have been well illustrated. However, the oral development is a complex process which contains differential gene expression regulation (Takatsuji et al. 1992), and genes involved in the ower growth are still largely unknown.