Abstract Detail

Functional Genetics/Genomics

Mosquera, Veronica [1], Jarvis, David [2], Whipple, Clinton [3].

Tandem duplication are candidate genes for flower color in Gilia.

The genus Gilia (Polemoniaceae) contains several species with potential for genetic dissection of interesting ecological and morphological traits. Leafy-stemmed gilia (Gilia section Gilia) are primarily diploid, easily grown annuals, with a 3-month seed to seed generation time. In addition, closely related species readily hybridize. Our lab targeted two closely related leafy-stemmed gilia: G. yorkii and G. capitata as progenitors to develop an F2 mapping population for phenotyping, genotyping, and mapping floral traits. The G. yorkii genome was sequenced, assembled, and annotated. F2 progeny were phenotyped and genotyped, to identify species specific quantitative trait loci (QTL) A strong QTL on chromosome one (Gy1) was detected for petal color. Two copies of a Flavonoid 3’ 5’ Hydroxylase (F3'5’H) ortholog were identified in G. yorkii, directly under the petal color QTL peak. However, we still do not know the molecular cause of the blue-white petal color polymorphism between these species. We are investigating three possible causes for the lack of petal color in G. yorkii: (1) Loss of function protein mutation in a G. yorkii F3’5’H paralog (2) A regulatory mutation in one or more of the duplicates of F3’5’H, or (3) A change in F3’5’H copy number between G. yorkii and G. capitata. Predicted protein sequences show no obvious deleterious mutations in G. yorkii F5’3’H paralogs, leaving (2) or (3) as likely explanations. To investigate possible regulatory mutations we are quantifying petal expression levels in both G. yorkii and G. capitata by RT-qPCR. To explore copy number variation at this locus, we sequenced G. capitata with PacBio and mapped reads to the G. yorkii reference genome. Results suggest that G. capitata has more than two copies of F3'5'H. A summary of F3’5’H gene number and expression will be presented.

1 - Brigham Young University, Biology, 4005 LSB , Provo, UT, 84602, United States
2 - Brigham Young University, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
3 - BYU Biology Department, Biology, 4102 LSB, Provo, UT, 84602, United States

Keywords:
Anthocyanin
flower color polymorphisms
ortholog
paralogs
PacBio
RT-qPCR.

Presentation Type: Poster
Number: PCG004
Abstract ID:644
Candidate for Awards:Phytochemical Best Poster Award