Gene Duplication and Differential Expression of Flower Symmetry Genes in Rhododendron (Ericaceae).

ABSTRACT: Bilaterally symmetric flowers have evolved over a hundred times in angiosperms, yet orthologs of the transcription factors CYCLOIDEA (CYC), RADIALIS (RAD), and DIVARICATA (DIV) are repeatedly implicated in floral symmetry changes. We examined these candidate genes to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of floral symmetry changes in florally diverse Rhododendron, reconstructing gene trees and comparing gene expression across floral organs in representative species with radial and bilateral flower symmetries. Radially symmetric R. taxifolium Merr. and bilaterally symmetric R. beyerinckianum Koord. had four and five CYC orthologs, respectively, from shared tandem duplications. CYC orthologs were expressed in the long

SUBMITTER: Ramage E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8541606 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature