Comparative genomics reveals conservative evolution of the xylem transcriptome in vascular plants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Wood is a valuable natural resource and a major carbon sink. Wood formation is an important developmental process in vascular plants which played a crucial role in plant evolution. Although genes involved in xylem formation have been investigated, the molecular mechanisms of xylem evolution are not well understood. We use comparative genomics to examine evolution of the xylem transcriptome to gain insights into xylem evolution.

Results

The xylem transcriptome is highly conserved in conifers, but considerably divergent in angiosperms. The functional domains of genes in the xylem transcriptome are moderately to highly conserved in vascular plants, suggesting the existence of a common ancestral xylem transcriptome. Compared to the total transcriptome derived from a r

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2907377 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature