Gene-expression profile comparisons distinguish seven organs of maize

Relative mRNA levels from maize organs have been quantified by hybridization to maize arrays fabricated with 5,376 unique expressed sequence tag clones. mRNAs from embryos, three vegetative organs (leaf blades, leaf sheaths and roots), husk leaves and two types of floral organs (immature ears and silks) reveal that a majority of genes expressed in diverse organs with little difference in transcript levels.