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Abstract Detail


Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Boyden, Geraldine [1], Litt, Amy [2], Hardej, Diane [1], Howarth, Dianella [3].

CYCLOIDEA-like genes are implicated in development and floral patterning in Fedia cornucopiae (Valerianaceae).

Shifts in floral symmetry between radial and bilateral symmetry have been common among angiosperms. The ECE clade of TCP transcription factors, which includes CYCLOIDEA (CYC), has been implicated in patterning the dorsal region of flowers in several angiosperm groups. Members of the ECE clade duplicated twice near the divergence of the Pentapetalae. Within our clade of interest, Dipsacales, two of these Pentapetaleae lineages subsequently each underwent an additional independent duplication, correlating with a shift to bilateral symmetry. To examine the functions of four of these CYC-like paralogs, we have utilized Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), which is an RNAi mediated reverse genetic tool used to study the function of genes in plants. We have utilized the model Fedia cornucopiae (Valerianaceae, Dipsacales). Orthologs of CYC-like genes in other organisms are generally expressed in dorsal regions of bilaterally symmetrical flowers, with loss-of-function resulting in ventralization and loss of bilateral symmetry. We will discuss the intricate morphological patterns of four of these gene knockdowns, FcCYC2A, FcCYC2B, FcCYC3A, and FcCYC3B and its implications for sub- and neofunctionalization in floral symmetry patterning. In F. cornucopiae, additional phenotypic variation in the knockdowns included buds that opened prematurely with splayed petals. Therefore, in addition to the intricate dynamics of CYC-like genes in floral symmetry, they appear to play a role in maintaining bud closure in developing Fedia flowers.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - St. John's University, Biological Sciences, St. Albert Hall , 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamaica, NY, 11439, USA
2 - New York Botanical Garden, 200th St And Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
3 - St. John\'s University, Department Of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, St. Albert Hall Rm 257, 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamiaca, NY, 11439, USA

Keywords:
CYCLOIDEA
Floral symmetry
Dipsacales
Fedia cornucopiae 
Valerianaceae
VIGS.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 22
Location: Delaware C/Hyatt
Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 22010
Abstract ID:887


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