variable between FLO͞LFY-like proteins. The proline-rich domain is not well pronounced in NLY and PrFLL. The acidic domain of gymnosperm FLO͞LFY-like proteins is not as strong as corresponding domains of angiosperm homologs. Because the proline-rich and acidic domains are located within the variable regions, they may be subject to evolutionary changes." Also, we would like to point out that in Fig. 1, the first 44 amino acids of the PEAFLO sequence were missing. A corrected figure and its legend appear below.FIG. 1. Sequence comparison of FLO͞LFY-like proteins (accession numbers in parentheses): PrFLL from P. radiata (U92008); NLY from P. radiata (U76757); BOFH from Brassica oleracea (718362); LFY from Arabidopsis thaliana (M91208); NFL1 and NFL2 from Nicotiana tabacum (U16172) and U16174, respectively); PEAFLO from Pisum sativum (AF010190); FLO from Antirrhinum majus (M55525); PtFL from Populus balsamifera (U931 96); and RFL from Oryza sativa (AB005620). Black boxes indicate identical amino acids, shaded boxes indicate amino acids with similar properties, and dots indicate gaps introduced to optimize alignment. c1 anc c2, conserved regions; v1 and v2, variable regions. Positions of the proline residues within the proline-rich region are indicated by asterisks. Acidic domain indicated by dashed line. 5336Correction Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96 (1999) ABSTRACTThe LEAFY͞FLORICAULA genes from Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum are necessary for normal f lower development and play a key role in diverse angiosperm species. A homologue of these f lower meristem-identity genes, NEEDLY (NLY), has been identified in Pinus radiata. Although the NLY protein shares extensive sequence similarity with its angiosperm counterparts, it is lacking the proline-rich and acidic motifs thought to function as transcriptional activation domains. NLY already is expressed during vegetative development at least 5 years before the transition to the reproductive phase. Expression of NLY in transgenic Arabidopsis promotes f loral fate, demonstrating that, despite its sequence divergence, NLY encodes a functional ortholog of the FLORICAULA͞LEAFY genes of angiosperms. Expression of the LFY::NLY transgene can largely complement the defects in f lower development caused by a severe lfy allele.

Three MADS-box genes isolated from Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), PrMADS1, PrMADS2, and PrMADS3, are orthologs to members of the AGL2 and AGL6 gene subfamilies in Arabidopsis. These genes were expressed during early stages of pine shoot development in differentiating seed-and pollen-cone buds. Their transcripts were found within a group of cells that formed ovuliferous scale and microsporophyll primordia. Expression of PrMADS3 was also detected in a group of cells giving rise to needle primordia within differentiated vegetative buds, and in needle primordia.

Plant Lipoxygenases (LOX) are known to play major role in plant immunity by providing front-line defense against pathogen-induced injury. To verify this, we isolated a full-length OsLOX3 gene and also 12 OsLOX cDNA clones from Oryza sativa indica (cultivar Pusa Basmati 1). We have examined the role played by LOXs in plant development and during attack by blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea. Gene expression, promoter region analysis, and biochemical and protein structure analysis of isolated OsLOX3 revealed significant homology with LOX super family. Protein sequence comparison of OsLOXs revealed high levels of homology when compared with japonica rice (up to100%) and Arabidopsis (up to 64%). Isolated LOX3 gene and 12 OsLOX cDNAs contained the catalytic LOX domains much required for oxygen binding and synthesis of oxylipins. Amino acid composition, protein secondary structure, and promoter region analysis (with abundance of motifs CGTCA and TGACG) support the role of OsLOX3 gene in providing resistance to diseases in rice plants. OsLOX3 gene expression analysis of root, shoot, flag leaf, and developing and mature seed revealed organ specific patterns during rice plant development and gave evidence to association between tissue location and physiological roles played by individual OsLOXs. Increased defense activity of oxylipins was observed as demonstrated by PCR amplification of OsLOX3 gene and upon inoculation with virulent strains of M. grisea and ectopic application of methyl jasmonate in the injured leaf tissue in adult rice plants.

Karnal bunt disease in wheat is caused by hemibiotrophic fungus, Tilletia indica that has been placed as quarantine pest in more than 70 countries. Despite its economic importance, little knowledge about the molecular components of fungal pathogenesis is known. In this study, first time the genome sequence of T. indica has been deciphered for unraveling the effectors’ functions of molecular pathogenesis of Karnal bunt disease. The T. indica genome was sequenced employing hybrid approach of PacBio Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT) and Illumina HiSEQ 2000 sequencing platforms. The genome was assembled into 10,957 contigs (N50 contig length 3 kb) with total size of 26.7 Mb and GC content of 53.99%. The number of predicted putative genes were 11,535, which were annotated with Gene Ontology databases. Functional annotation of Karnal bunt pathogen genome and classification of identified effectors into protein families revealed interesting functions related to pathogenesis. Search for effectors’ genes using pathogen host interaction database identified 135 genes. The T. indica genome sequence and putative genes involved in molecular pathogenesis would further help in devising novel and effective disease management strategies including development of resistant wheat genotypes, novel biomarkers for pathogen detection and new targets for fungicide development.