LMI1 -like genes involved in leaf margin development of Brassica napus

In rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.), leaf margins are variable and can be entire, serrate, or lobed. In our previous study, the lobed-leaf gene ( LOBED-LEAF 1, BnLL1 ) was mapped to a 32.1 kb section of B. napus A10. Two LMI1- like genes, BnaA10g26320D and BnaA10g26330D , were considered the potential genes that controlled the lobed-leaf trait in rapeseed. In the present study, these two genes and another homologous gene ( BnaC04g00850D ) were transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants to identify their functions. All three LMI1- like genes of B. napus produced serrate leaf margins. The expression analysis indicated that the expression level of BnaA10g26320D determined the difference between lobed- and entire-leaved lines in rapeseed. Therefore, it is likely that BnaA10g26320D corresponds to BnLL1 .