Interactions of MADS-box transcription factors CsGLO1, CsGLO2 and CsAG in Camellia sinensis flower development

In this study, the interactions between MADS-box B transcription factors GLO1 and CsGLO2, and C transcription factor CsAG in Camellia sinensis L. in relation to flower development as well as their possible subcellular localizations were investigated using the yeast two-hybrid method and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). In this study, five yeast expression vectors were constructed and the transcriptional activation activities of the three proteins were tested by yeast one-hybridization. The interactions among the three proteins were further analyzed by yeast two-hybrid assay. The results showed that the three proteins had no transcriptional activation activity, but interactions did occur among them. Six BiFC expression vectors were constructed and transformed into the leaf epidermal cells of tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana L.) by pressure injection. The fluorescence signals were then observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that the three proteins could form homo- and heterodimers, and had specific patterns of interaction in the cytoplasm. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the inhibition of C. sinensis ‘flower and fruit present’ using molecular biology techniques.