Abstract Detail

Developmental and Structural Section

Pabon-Mora, Natalia [1], Litt, Amy [1].

Functional redundancy of non-core eudicot FUL-like paralogs in regulating flowering time and petal development.

The APETALA1/FRUITFULL gene lineage is mostly known for the critical roles of the Arabidopsis duplicates AP1 and FUL in floral meristem identity, in sepal and petal identity (AP1), and in fruit development (FUL). AP1 and FUL are members of the euFUL and the euAP1 clades respectively, that resulted from a major gene lineage duplication concurrent with the diversification of the core eudicots. The functions reported for AP1 and FUL are for the most part conserved in other euAP1 and euFUL genes. In order to evaluate the role of the duplication in the functional divergence of these genes, we have carried out functional studies of the pre-duplication FUL-like genes found in non-core eudicots. Particularly, we are studying the function of FUL-like genes in Papaveraceae. Species of Papaveraceae possess at least two FUL-like paralogs which differ in sequence mostly at the C- terminus. Functional studies assessing the role of each Papaver FUL-like paralog showed that the two copies appear to have similar functions; downregulation of each independently showed they regulate axillary meristem growth, floral meristem and sepal identity, as well as fruit development. The close similarity of phenotypes from downregulation of each gene suggests the two may function cooperatively in these processes. However, when both copies are downregulated simultaneously, additional roles emerge in regulating flowering time and specifying proper petal identity, indicating both are required for these processes. Down-regulation of both copies results in similar but not identical phenotypes in another member of the family, Eschscholzia californica. These data suggest that functional divergence of Papaveraceae FUL-like genes has occurred independently in different taxa. Our data gathered from Papaveraceae will be discussed with preliminary data gathered from downregulation of FUL-like genes in Aquilegia coerulea (Ranunculaceae). Changes in protein motifs among the duplicates and protein networks will be discussed in the light of these data.

Broader Impacts:

1 - The New York Botanical Garden, 200th St and Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York, 10458, USA

Keywords:
A-function
APETALA1
AP1/FUL
Basal eudicots
Eschscholzia
FRUITFULL
FUL-like
Gene duplication
Papaver
Papaveraceae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 16
Location: Lindell A/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: 16001
Abstract ID:495