Transcriptional convergence after repeated duplication of an amino acid transporter gene leads to the independent emergence of the black husk/pericarp trait in barley and rice.

ABSTRACT: The repeated emergence of the same trait (convergent evolution) in distinct species is an interesting phenomenon and manifests visibly the power of natural selection. The underlying genetic mechanisms have important implications to understand how the genome evolves under environmental challenges. In cereal crops, both rice and barley can develop black-coloured husk/pericarp due to melanin accumulation. However, it is unclear if this trait shares a common origin. Here, we fine-mapped the barley HvBlp gene controlling the black husk/pericarp trait and confirmed its function by gene silencing. The result was further supported by a yellow husk/pericarp mutant with deletion of the HvBlp gene, derived from gamma ray radiation of the wild-type W1. HvBlp encodes a putative tyrosine transporter hom

SUBMITTER: Li B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11022822 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature