Study of genes involved in flower formation could help to increase our understanding of floral organ identity mechanisms. In this research, the expression pattern of four MADS-, BOX gene family including RaA2, RaB17. RaG24 and RaK17 isolated from the dioecious plant Rumex acetosa was studied. RNA extracted from different tissues (inflorescence, stem, leaf and root) of male and female plants, was used for Northern blot analysis. RaA2 and RaB17 genes are expressed in reproductive organs but RaG2-1 and Ra K17 genes were shown to be expressed in both vegetative and reproductive organs. Alignment of their deduced proteins with other known MADS BOX proteins showed that they are belongs to distinct subfamily groups. The proteins of RaA2 and RaB17 genes showed the highest similarity to MADS proteins from Malus dotnestica and CMB I from Diantus caryophyllus, respectively. The proteins of RaG24 and Ra K17 genes have the highest similarity to TDR3 protein from Lycopersicon esculentum and MADS5 protein from Betula pendula and POTMI protein from Solanum tuberosum which are expressed in both vegetative and reproductive phases. In Southern blot analysis, there is a difference in hybridisation pattern between male and female. The simple pattern of hybridisation indicated that there is a single copy and small gene family of each gene in the genome.

In plants many genes have been identified with a significant role in the control of flowering pathway. Most of these genes belong to a large family of MADS-BOX transcription factors. Crocus sativus is a triploid sterile plant characterized by its long red stigmas having commercial value. Understanding flower development in this plant can be useful in increasing yield and reducing production cost. In the present study, the expression pattern of two classes of MADS-BOX genes (Ag1 and Sep3) involved in flower formation was analyzed in both flower parts and vegetative organs by semi quantitative RT-PCR. Based on the analysis, two C classes of MADS-BOX genes includingAg1a and Ag1b were expressed in three sexual organs including ovary, stigma and stamens. These two genes showed higher expression in saffron stigma and stamens compared to ovary. Expression level of Ag1a and Ag1b genes was low in petal, leaf, corn and root organs. The expression of Sep3a, Sep3b, Sep3c and Sep3d genes from class E of MADS-BOX family detected in petal, stamen, stigma and ovary while it was not detectable in vegetative organs including corn and root by semi quantitative RTPCR.

Flower initiation is an important factor influencing plant yield. Environmental factors significantly affect flowering initiation. Bioinformatic analysis was performed on MADS-BOX transcription factors which are considered as important components in the flower formation. Brachpodium is a new experimental model which used to understand the genetic, cellular mechanism and molecular biology of plants. In this study, 43 sequences of Brachypodium MADS-BOX genes were analyzed using phylogeny relationships, conserved motifs, chromosomal location, detection of transcription factor binding sites, and amino acid composition. The aim of this study was to better identify molecular mechanisms related to flowering. In this study, results showed that MADS-BOX genes distribute on all Brachypodium chromosomes, while gene clusters were located on all chromosomes except chromosome five. Analysis of the amino acid composition revealed that lucine, serine, and glutamate, with the highest amount, and tryptophan, with the least amount, elicit appreciable flowering. Based on the phylogeny analysis the genes were divided to four clusters. Tajima test indicated the presence of balancing selection in MADS-BOX sequences and as a result polymorphism is conserved in the sequences. Thus, the total diversity in MADS-BOX genes were high. Overall, our results provided useful information for the survey of flowering response genes, thereby detection of molecular mechanism and intergenic relationships facilitate flowering pathway.

Pectobacterium is one of the major destructive causal agents in most crop plants throughout the world. During the years 2007-2008, 38 isolate of soft rot pectobacteria were isolated from different hosts including: potato, onion, cabbage and carrot in Hamedan, Semnan, Hormozgan, Kerman, East Azarbaijan, Khuzestan, Zanjan, Tehran and Isfahan provinces. Phenotypic identification of the strains were performed using recommended biochemical and physiological tests. Also genetic diversity determined by BOX-PCR using BOX A1R primer.According to results, all strains identified as "Carotovora" group as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, P. atrosepticum and Dickeya chrysanthemi. Also some characteristics of the pathogen differ from those described for this bacterium isolated in some countries. The combined results of performed tests showed a high variability among pectolytic bacteria in Iran and there was no clear relationship between the resulting DNA fingerprints and geographical origins of isolates.