The ABC Model of Flower Development

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"ABC model" redirects here. For the model of attitudes used in psychology, see Attitude (psychology).

A diagram of the ABC model.

The ABC model for flower development was formulated by E. Coen and E. Meyerowitz in 1991. This model is build on the observation of mutants with defects in floral organs development.The ABC model summarizes how the presence of different classes of transcription factors in the different parts of the flower regulates the development of floral organs. The class A genes are responsible for the development of sepals and together with class B genes of petal development, class B genes together with class C genes determines the development of stamen and class C genes alone are responsible for the development of carpels.

The expression of A genes induces the development of sepals.
The expression of B genes toghether with A genes induces the development of petals.
The expression of B genes toghether with C genes induces the development of sepals.
The expression of C genes induces the development of carpels.

In 2004 the characterization of sepallata1,2,3 triple mutant in Arabidopsis has led to the formulation of the ABCE model, which consider the importance of class E genes for the development of the floral organs.