ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2-LIKE38 gene, a Member of AS2/LOB family of Arabidopsis, causes leaf dorsoventral alternation in transgenic cockscomb plants

ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2-LIKE38/LBD41 gene of Arabidopsis is a member of the ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2)/LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (LOB) domain gene family. To explore ASL38 function, we transformed 35S:ASL38 constructs into cockscomb (Celosia plumosus) plants via Agrobacterium tumefaciens and obtained T1 35S:ASL38 plants. The extremely folded or crinkly leaves were seen in these T1 cockscomb plants. The anatomical analysis of these malformed leaf blades indicated that adaxial cells revealed abaxialized traits, which were never seen in those of wild-type plants. These results suggested that ectopic expression of ASL38 might lead to alternations of dorsoventrality in folded or crinkly leaves of 35S:ASL38 cockscomb. In general, all data showed that ASL38 might be involved in dorsoventral determination in lateral organ development of plants.