背景回顾：The AGAMOUS-LIKE6 (AGL6)-like genes are ancient MADS-box genes and are functionally studied in a few model plants. 

提出问题：The knowledge of these genes in wheat remains limited.

主要发现：Here, by studying a ‘double homoeolog mutant’ of the AGL6 gene in tetraploid wheat, we showed that AGL6 was required for the development of all four whorls of floral organs with dosage-dependent effect on floret fertility. 

结果1-AGL6互作蛋白：Yeast two-hybrid analyses detected interactions of AGL6 with all classes of MADS-box proteins in the ABCDE model for floral organ development. AGL6 was found to interact with several additional proteins, including the G protein β and γ (DEP1) subunits. 

结果2-AGL6过表达表型：Analysis of the DEP1-B mutant showed a significant reduction in spikelet number per spike in tetraploid wheat, while overexpression of AGL6 in common wheat increased the spikelet number per spike and hence the grain number per spike. 

结果3-AGL6下游基因：RNA-seq analysis identified the regulation of several meristem activity genes by AGL6, such as FUL2 and TaMADS55. 

结论：Our work therefore extensively updated the wheat ABCDE model and proposed an alternative approach to improve wheat grain yield by manipulating the AGL6 gene.

 摘 要 

AGL6类基因是古老MADS-box基因，在少数几个模式植物中进行了基因功能鉴定。然而，对于这些基因在小麦中的功能还不清楚。本文中，作者通过对六倍体小麦AGL6基因的双同源突变体研究发现，该基因对于小麦花器官四轮心皮的发育是必须的，并以剂量依赖型的方式作用于小花育性。酵母双杂分析发现AGL6能够与花器官发育ABCDE模型中的所有MADS-box蛋白发生互作。AGL6还能够与一些其它的蛋白发生互作，其中就包括了G蛋白的β和γ亚基。通过对DEP1-B突变体的分析发现，其每穗的小穗数显著减少；而在小麦中过表达AGL6基因则会增加每穗的小穗数，从而增加每穗的籽粒数。RNA-seq分析鉴定了受AGL6调控的分生组织活性基因，比如FUL2和TaMADS55。本文的研究结果极大地更新了小麦的ABCDE开花模型，并且提出了一份通过对AGL6基因的遗传操作进行小麦籽粒产量遗传改良的备选方案。