All possible modes of gene action are observed in a global comparison of gene expression in a maize F1 hybrid and its inbred parents.

ABSTRACT: Heterosis is the phenomenon whereby the progeny of particular inbred lines have enhanced agronomic performance relative to both parents. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this fundamental biological phenomenon, the responsible molecular mechanisms have not been determined. The maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17 produce a heterotic F1 hybrid. Global patterns of gene expression were compared in seedlings of these three genotypes by using a microarray that contains 13,999 cDNAs. Using an estimated 15% false discovery rate as a cutoff, 1,367 ESTs (9.8%) were identified as being significantly differentially expressed among genotypes. All possible modes of gene action were observed, including additivity, high- and low-parent dominance, underdominance, and overdominance. The

SUBMITTER: Swanson-Wagner RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1447595 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature