The strange sex life of a melon

French scientists have just discovered a gene that can change the sex of the melon flower, so that a plant can produce both male and bisexual flowers.

Experts from many French universities and research institutes isolated the sex-regulated genes of the melon, called CmACS, and monitored its progress.

They focused on ethylene, a hormone that helps ripen fruits and suggested that an enzyme involved in the hormone production is also involved in the process of turning female flowers into bisexual flowers. That way, scientists will find an association between ethylene levels and the sex of the flower.

To collaborate with the French team, biologist Jonathan Flowers and Professor Michael Purugganan of New York University analyze the evolution of plant reproductive systems. They found that many species have both male and female flowers or bisexual flowers. The melon is a special case in which a tree has both male and bisexual flowers. According to Professor Michael Purugganan, this trait is the result of a recent evolutionary process. He said a change in the DNA structure of the CmACS gene causes the female flowers to turn into bisexual flowers.

"Humans and mammals often have only two sexes - male and female. But many other species, including plants, can have three sexes. This study helps us better understand the picture. sexuality at the molecular level and the advantages of a combination of two sexes on a plant body, " concluded Professor Michael Purugganan.