Cloning and characterisation of grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.) MADS-box genes expressed during inflorescence and berry development

MADS-box genes are known to be important for the development of flowers and fruit. Four MADS-box cDNAs were cloned from grapevine flowers and unripe berries. When compared with MADS-box genes from Arabidopsis, two of the grape clones ( VvMADS2 and VvMADS4) were related to the SEPALLATA ( SEP) genes, a third ( VvMADS3) showed homology to AGAMOUS-LIKE 6 and 13 ( AGL6 and 13) and the fourth ( VvMADS5) to AGL11. Expression of the grapevine MADS-box genes varied depending on the stage of inflorescence development, although all were expressed in fully developed flowers. VvMADS5 expression was restricted to the carpels and was found to be expressed in female but not male flowers. The other three MADS-box genes were expressed in the three inner whorls and in both male and female flowers. The expression of VvMADS4 was also detected at high levels during berry development, whereas VvMADS2 and VvMADS5 were detected at lower levels in berries. The gene expression patterns suggest that these genes have a role in regulating both grapevine flower and berry development.