Abstract Detail

Plant development and evolution: Lessons learned from candidate genes

Floyd, Sandra K. [1], Bowman, John L. [1].

Patterning genes in embryophytes and algae: new insights into land plant developmental evolution.

Molecular genetic mechanisms for organ initiation and patterning are being revealed in the model angiosperm species Arabidopsis. Interpretation of mutant and transgenic phenotypes and expression data indicate that in Arabidopsis the class III HD-Zip family of transcription factors are essential for SAM formation and antagonistic interactions between class III HD-Zip and KANADI gene family members are essential for normal patterning of vascular tissues, adaxial/abaxial polarity in leaves and cotyledons, and lateral root formation. These two gene families play a key role in the development of all plant organs. This suggests that the interaction of class III HD-Zip and KANADI activities represents a fundamental and perhaps ancient system for patterning the plant body. We are conducting an evolutionary survey to investigate the potential roles of these two gene families in growth and patterning in all land plants and their charophycean algal relatives. We discuss our findings and the implications for understanding the evolution of land plant form.

1 - University of California, Davis, Plant Biology, One Shields Ave., Davis, California, 95616, USA

Keywords:
bryophyte
cDNA cloning
Character evolution
Coleochaete
development
developmental genetics
embryophytes
Evolution
ferns
gene evolution
leaf development
lycophytes
seed plants
EvoDevo
gene expression
charophycean algae.

Presentation Type: Symposium
Session: 54-2
Location: Ballroom 1 (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2004
Time: 1:45 PM
Abstract ID:139