Dating and functional characterization of duplicated genes in the apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) by analyzing EST data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gene duplication is central to genome evolution. In plants, genes can be duplicated through small-scale events and large-scale duplications often involving polyploidy. The apple belongs to the subtribe Pyrinae (Rosaceae), a diverse lineage that originated via allopolyploidization. Both small-scale duplications and polyploidy may have been important mechanisms shaping the genome of this species.

Results

This study evaluates the gene duplication and polyploidy history of the apple by characterizing duplicated genes in this species using EST data. Overall, 68% of the apple genes were clustered into families with a mean copy-number of 4.6. Analysis of the age distribution of gene duplications supported a continuous mode of small-scale duplications, plus two episodes o

SUBMITTER: Sanzol J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3095355 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature