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Abstract Detail



Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Galimba, Kelsey [1], Martinez-Gomez, Jesus [1], Di Stilio, Veronica S [1].

Gene duplication and neo-functionalization in the APETALA3 lineage of floral organ identity genes in a non-core eudicot.

The duplication of floral MADS-box transcription factors is considered a key contributor to the rapid diversification of flowering plants. These genes underlie the identity and development of the distinct floral organs and, when duplicated, may cause novel morphologies to arise. The B-class genes APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI) are necessary for the development of petals and stamens in Arabidopsis and other model plants. Loss of function of either one of these genes causes homeotic conversions of petals to sepals and stamens to carpels, leading to a phenotype consisting of two whorls of sepals surrounding two whorls of carpels. The non-core eudicot T. thalictroides (Ranunculaceae) has three orthologs of AP3: ThtAP3-1, ThtAP3-2a and ThtAP3-2b. This species is apetalous, but interestingly, exhibits expression of all three B-class genes in both stamens and petaloid sepals. We ask whether any of the ThtAP3 genes has neo-functionalized to promote ectopic petaloidy of sepals in this species. Using Viral Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) in T. thalictroides, we down-regulate each gene individually and in combination in order to dissect the role of each paralog.


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1 - University of Washington, Biology, Box 351800, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

Keywords:
ABC model
APETALA3
B-class genes
neo-functionalization
Ranunculaceae.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEV004
Abstract ID:620
Candidate for Awards:None


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