Altered Expression Patterns of TCP and MYB Genes Relating to the Floral Developmental Transition from Initial Zygomorphy to Actinomorphy in Bournea (Gesneriaceae)

Xiu-Ren Zhou, Yin-Zheng Wang, James F. Smith, Rujin Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

• The shift from zygomorphy to actinomorphy has been intensively studied in molecular genetic model organisms. However, it is still a key challenge to explain the great morphological diversity of derived actinomorphy in angiosperms, since different underlying mechanisms may be responsible for similar external morphologies. Bournea (Gesneriaceae) is of particular interest in addressing this question, as it is a representative of primarily derived actinomorphy characteristic of a unique developmental transition from zygomorphy to actinomorphic flowers at anthesis. • Using RNA in situ hybridization, the expression patterns were investigated of three different Bournea orthologues of TCP and MYB genes that have been shown to control floral symmetry in model species. • Here, it is shown that the initial zygomorphic pattern in Bournea is likely a residual zygomorphy resulting from conserved expression of the adaxial (dorsal) identity gene BlCYC1. As a key novel event, the late downregulation of BlCYC1 and BlRAD and the correlative changes in the late specific expression of the abaxial (ventral) identity gene BlDIV should be responsible for the origin of the derived actinomorphy in Bournea. • These results further indicate that there might be diverse pathways in the origin and evolution of derived actinomorphy through modifications of pre-existing zygomorphic developmental programs under dynamics of regulatory networks.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)532-543
Number of pages12
JournalNew Phytologist
Volume178
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2008

Keywords

  • Bournea (Gesneriaceae)
  • CYCLOIDEA
  • DIVARICATA
  • RADIALIS
  • altered expression pattern
  • derived actinomorphy
  • evolution of floral symmetry

EGS Disciplines

  • Biology
  • Botany
  • Plant Biology
  • Plant Breeding and Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Altered Expression Patterns of TCP and MYB Genes Relating to the Floral Developmental Transition from Initial Zygomorphy to Actinomorphy in Bournea (Gesneriaceae)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this