Highly Expressed Genes Are Preferentially Co-Opted for C4 Photosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Novel adaptations are generally assembled by co-opting pre-existing genetic components, but the factors dictating the suitability of genes for new functions remain poorly known. In this work, we used comparative transcriptomics to determine the attributes that increased the likelihood of some genes being co-opted for C4 photosynthesis, a convergent complex trait that boosts productivity in tropical conditions. We show that independent lineages of grasses repeatedly co-opted the gene lineages that were the most highly expressed in non-C4 ancestors to produce their C4 pathway. Although ancestral abundance in leaves explains which genes were used for the emergence of a C4 pathway, the tissue specificity has surprisingly no effect. Our results suggest that levels of key genes were elevated dur

SUBMITTER: Moreno-Villena JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5850498 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature