Molecular evolution of candidate genes for crop-related traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

ABSTRACT: Evolutionary analyses aimed at detecting the molecular signature of selection during crop domestication and/or improvement can be used to identify genes or genomic regions of likely agronomic importance. Here, we describe the DNA sequence-based characterization of a pool of candidate genes for crop-related traits in sunflower. These genes, which were identified based on homology to genes of known effect in other study systems, were initially sequenced from a panel of improved lines. All genes that exhibited a paucity of sequence diversity, consistent with the possible effects of selection during the evolution of cultivated sunflower, were then sequenced from a panel of wild sunflower accessions an outgroup. These data enabled formal tests for the effects of selection in shaping sequence di

SUBMITTER: Mandel JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4051887 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature