Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Wuersig, Renate [1], Zanis, Michael, J. [1].

The Natural History of C- and D-class MADS-box Genes: Insights from Phylogenetic Analyses.

Genome duplication events, which have led to a sizable expansion of the MADS-box family of transcription factors, are of special interest when examining the diversification of genes driving floral development. Our goal is to facilitate an understanding of how duplications in MADS-box genes have shaped the diversification of C- and D-class clade genes across angiosperms. In order to link genome duplications and the diversification of this large gene family, we are characterizing the molecular evolution of C- and D-class clade MADS-box genes in several major angiosperm lineages. To this end, we have used degenerate PCR to isolate and sequence over 50 additional C- and D-class clade MADS-box genes from Brassicales, Fabales, Laurales, Magnoliales, Piperales, Monocots, and Ranunculales. Our broad sampling includes several angiosperm lineages that have not been sampled in previous studies of MADS-box gene evolution. In order to better understand the diversification and evolution of C- and D-class clade MADS-box genes, we are using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses, as well as Bayesian methods of divergence time estimation. Our expanded taxonomic sampling has enabled us to identify the origins of several previously undiscovered independent C- and D-class clade duplication events. In addition, this study also highlights some of the challenges associated with inferring deep level evolutionary relationships within multigene families. Finally, independent C- and D-class clade duplications are proving to be especially interesting in understanding the molecular evolutionary changes, such as frame shift mutations, that have occurred following genome duplication events.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Purdue University, Botany and Plant Pathology, 915 West State Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2054, USA

Keywords:
mads-box
D-class genes
C-class genes
Floral development
phylogeny
gene duplication.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 5
Location: 554A/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 5008
Abstract ID:614