MADS

Brief Introduction

• MADS-box family member are known to be involved in many important processes during plant growth and development. The word MADS finds its origin from the first letters of its founding members, Mini Chromosome Maintenance 1 (MCM1) of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Agamous (AG) of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), Deficiens (DEF) of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) and Serum Response Factor (SRF) of humans (Homo sapiens).
• They are characterized by the presence of a conserved domain of approximately 60 amino acids located in the N-terminal region; this domain is named the MADS-box domain and is involved in DNA binding and dimerization. The MADS-box family has been divided into two main groups. The type I consists of ARG80/SRF-like genes of animals and fungi, also designated as M-type genes in plants, and type II contains MEF2-like genes of animals and yeast as well as MIKC-type genes of plants.

Figure 1. Protein Structure of BGIOSGA004940

• The best studied plant MADS-box transcription factors are those involved in floral organ identity determination. Combinations of A-, B-, and C-function genes determine the development of the four whorls of an Arabidopsis flower: A-function genes determine sepal development; A- and B-function genes determine petal development; B- and C function genes determine the stamen development, and C-function genes are necessary for carpel development.