Abstract Detail

Molecular Ecology and Evolution

Morinaga, Shin-Ichi [1], Hayashi, Makoto [2], Nishimura, Mikio [2], Ito, Motomi [1], Nagano, Atsushi J. [3].

Genomic basis of local adaptation in A. halleri from cross-species microarray analysis.

Adaptation to the local environment is the major driving force in evolution. Especially for plant species, gradients in environmental characters cause adaptation to different habitats, resulting in ecotypic differentiations as well as speciation. Although the genetic basis of local adaptation is one of the major topics in evolutionary biology, it is difficult to conduct such genetic studies on most wild species due to the lack of knowledge about their genome. Arabidopsis halleri ssp. gemmifera is most closely related species to A. thaliana and it demonstrates phenotype differentiation attributed to altitudinal gradients. Two ecotypes grow in the lowland and highland habitats on Mt. Ibuki in Japan, providing a favored study system for elucidating the mechanisms of local adaptation along altitude. To uncover genetic basis of local adaptation, we conducted cross-species genomic microarray analysis in two ecotypes of A. halleri ssp. gemmifera using AtMap1, tilling array for A. thaliana. In these results, we found eighteen genes whose signal intensities significantly differentiated between lowland and highland types. These genes encoded several metabolic enzymes, disease resistance proteins, kinese family proteins, and a transcription factor. In this presentation, we will discuss the functions of these genes for different environmental factors, such as temperature and wind.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
2 - National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, 444-8585, Japan
3 - National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaragi, 305-8602, Japan

Keywords:
ecological genomics
local adaptation
Arabidopsis
microarray.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall A/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PME001
Abstract ID:225