About the Cover
The Rosea1, Rosea2, and Venosa genes encode MYB-related
transcription factors active in the flowers of Antirrhinum majus. Schwinn et al.
(pages 831-851) show that these genes control
the intensity and pattern of anthocyanin pigmentation in flowers. Despite the structural similarity
of these proteins, they influence the expression of target genes encoding the enzymes of
anthocyanin biosynthesis with different specificities. Different Antirrhinum species show
striking differences in their patterns and intensities of floral pigmentation due to variations in the
activity of the Rosea and Venosa loci. The resulting patterns of pigmentation may
provide visual guides for bees, attracting them to enter and pollinate the closed flowers. Cover
photograph by Vernon Clarke shows the floral phenotype of the Venosa allele of A. majus.
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Copyright © 2008 by the American Society of Plant Biologists
