Expression of the AGL6 genes was recently shown to occur
in the fleshy fruit-like structures of two Gymnosperms. In
Magnolia, the already known AGL6 gene showed barely
detectable expression in both female and male reproductive organs, and a high transcript amount in the tepals alone, no
expression being detected in either seeds or sarcotesta
(Fig. 3G). The newly isolated MgAGL6.2 gene showed a
maximum transcript amount in tepals, although some transcripts
were also present in very young whole seeds.
Expression in leaves and stamens was comparable and barely
detectable, although the female reproductive structures
showed a slightly higher transcript amount. In the isolated
sarcotesta, gene expression appeared to be comparable with
that of the female structures in the very young white
sarcotesta, and then decreased to barely detectable levels in
the orange stage, and thereafter a very slight increase in the
fully ripe sample (Fig. 3H).