Abstract: MAP2, with homology to Arabidopsis AP2, was isolated from the flower buds of apple (Malus domestica Borkh). MAP2 cDNA is 2 212 bp long and encodes a 549 amino acid protein. Like other AP2 genes, MAP2 encodes a protein containing two distinct AP2 domain, a transcription-activating domain and aputative nuclear location signal. This indicates thatMAP2 is a homologue of AP2 in app le. Although the homolog among the three proteins in the putative nuclear location signal is 100% , MAP2 shares only 45.1% and 55.2% similarity with AP2 and PhAP2A , respectively. This reflects the diversity in the function of AP2 gene family excep t for acting in the nuclear. RT-PCR analysis showed that MAP2 is expressed in floral buds, allfloral organs and vegetative organs, which is similar to the exp ression pattern of AP2 and PhAP2A. To study the function of MAP2 in apple, we introduced the sense MAP2 under the control of 35S promoter of Cauliflower mosaic virus into Royal Gala plants.

Key words: Apple, apetala2, Gene cloning, Expression, Transgenic