CRABS CLAW-independent floral nectary development in Penstemon barbatus.

ABSTRACT:

Premise

Plants secrete carbohydrate-rich nectar from specialized floral nectary glands to attract pollinators. Arabidopsis and Petunia (rosid and asterid core eudicots, respectively) share genetic control of nectary development requiring activation of CRABS CLAW by euAGAMOUS and PLENA. This module is conserved despite striking differences in nectary morphology between the two species. We tested whether the euAGAMOUS/PLENA-CRABS CLAW module likely extends to an asterid species with novel nectary morphology, Penstemon barbatus.

Methods

To test conservation of the euAGAMOUS/PLENA-CRABS CLAW module and nectar sugar metabolism in P. barbatus, we carried out comparative transcriptomics, leveraging Penstemon's unique nectary morphology. Specifically, lateral and ventral stamen fila

SUBMITTER: Katzer AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12186138 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature