Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Avino, Mariano [1], Mankowski, Peter J. [2], Bernard, Kelsey C.  [2], Hammel, Alex J.  [2], Sullivan, Sierra L.  [2], Hall, Jocelyn C. [2].

Evo-devo studies on fruit reveal insights inthe genetic mechanism patterning dehiscence in Brassiceae.

Evo-devo studies in plants have dramatically increased in the last decade showing how phenotypes have been modified via development. Interestingly most studies have focused on floral evolution, while fruit morphology has been largely overlooked. However, differences in fruit morphology greatly impact seed dispersal, which is ecologically important. The tribe Brassiceae is ideal to investigate mechanisms underlying fruit variation as it displays significant differences in fruit morphology. Some members have dehiscent siliques, similar to Arabidopsis, whereas many members have segmented fruits laterally transversed by a joint. This segmentation, referred to as heteroarthrocarpy, is accompanied by variation in dehiscent capabilities. For example, Cakile lanceolata has fruits with two indehiscent segments, which disperse independently via separation of the joint at maturity. In contrast, fruits of closely related Erucaria erucarioides have a dehiscent proximal segment and an indehiscent distal segment. Three MADS-box transcription factor (SHATTERPROOF1/2and FRUITFULL), two bHLH genes-like (INDEHISCENT and ALCATRAZ) and a BEL gene-like (REPLUMLESS) regulate the genetic pathway determining proper dehiscence in Arabidopsis. Our gene expression studies show partial conservation in this pathway between Arabidopsis and the dehiscent segment of Erucaria. In contrast, the indehiscent segments of Erucaria and Cakile are characterized by lack of expression of these genes. The novel anatomical feature of the joint is also characterized by lack of gene expression despite anatomical similarities between joint abscission and silique dehiscence. Functional analysis, such as virus induced gene silencing, are aimed to down-regulate genes of interest to test in which way they might affect the development and morphology of heteroarthrocarpy.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Alberta, Biological Sciences, B602B, Biological Sciences University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
2 - University of Alberta, Biological Sciences, CW405, Biological Sciences University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEV002
Abstract ID:689