Conservation and canalization of gene expression during angiosperm diversification accompany the origin and evolution of the flower.

ABSTRACT: The origin and rapid diversification of the angiosperms (Darwin's "Abominable Mystery") has engaged generations of researchers. Here, we examine the floral genetic programs of phylogenetically pivotal angiosperms (water lily, avocado, California poppy, and Arabidopsis) and a nonflowering seed plant (a cycad) to obtain insight into the origin and subsequent evolution of the flower. Transcriptional cascades with broadly overlapping spatial domains, resembling the hypothesized ancestral gymnosperm program, are deployed across morphologically intergrading organs in water lily and avocado flowers. In contrast, spatially discrete transcriptional programs in distinct floral organs characterize the more recently derived angiosperm lineages represented by California poppy and Arabidopsis. Deep evol

SUBMITTER: Chanderbali AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3012471 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature