Parallel evolution of TCP and B-class genes in Commelinaceae flower bilateral symmetry.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Flower bilateral symmetry (zygomorphy) has evolved multiple times independently across angiosperms and is correlated with increased pollinator specialization and speciation rates. Functional and expression analyses in distantly related core eudicots and monocots implicate independent recruitment of class II TCP genes in the evolution of flower bilateral symmetry. Furthermore, available evidence suggests that monocot flower bilateral symmetry might also have evolved through changes in B-class homeotic MADS-box gene function.

Methods

In order to test the non-exclusive hypotheses that changes in TCP and B-class gene developmental function underlie flower symmetry evolution in the monocot family Commelinaceae, we compared expression patterns of teosinte branched1 (TB1

SUBMITTER: Preston JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3359255 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature