Functional Divergence Analysis of AGL6 Genes in Prunus mume

The AGAMOUS-LIKE6 (AGL6) lineage is an important clade of MADS-box transcription factors that play essential roles in floral organ development. The genome of Prunus mume contains two homoeologous AGL6 genes that are replicated as gene fragments. In this study, two AGL6 homologs, PmAGL6-1 and PmAGL6-2, were cloned from P. mume and then functionally characterized. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses grouped both genes into the AGL6 lineage. The expression patterns and protein–protein interaction patterns showed significant differences between the two genes. However, the ectopic expression of the two genes in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in similar phenotypes, including the promotion of flowering, alteration of floral organ structure, participation in the formation of the floral meristem and promotion of pod bending. Therefore, gene duplication has led to some functional divergence of PmAGL6-1 and PmAGL6-2 but their functions are similar. We thus speculated that AGL6 genes play a crucial role in flower development in P. mume.