Transcript profiling on developing Petunia hybrida floral organs

The cDNA-AFLP transcript profiling technique was used to analyse gene expression during flower development in Petunia hybrida . Reproductive and vegetative floral organs were sampled at five developmental stages and gene expression profiles were compared. This allowed us to assemble an inventory of genes expressed mainly in anthers during microspore development and in ovaries during macrosporogenesis. About 6,000 transcript tags were generated, 354 of which showed a modulated and/or organ-specific expression pattern. Stamen-specific transcripts exhibiting an upregulation in gene expression were well represented in our screening. Ovary-specific transcripts were less frequently observed and often displayed a constant level of gene expression. Of 194 fragments characterised further by sequencing, 35% showed homology with known genes in a database search. They belong to a wide range of gene classes, such as proteases, transcription factors and genes involved in metabolism, cell cycle and disease resistance. The usefulness of cDNA-AFLP transcript profiling as a tool to unravel complex developmental processes at the molecular level is discussed.