Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Kim, Joon [1], Zhang, Jingbo [2], Khojayori, Farah [1], Zhang, Wenheng [3].

Effect of silencing CYC2-like genes on floral development in Solanum lycopersicum L. and Nicotiana obtusifolia M.Martens & Galeotti (Solanaceae).

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a technique used to study the function of a gene by silencing specific target genes of interest in diverse plant species. Cycloidea (CYC) and DICHOTOMA (DICH) of the CYC2 clade of the TCP gene family have been shown to play an important role in regulating the identity of the dorsal petals and abortion of the single dorsal stamen in Antirrhinum majus L. It is believed that CYC2-like genes are responsible for the convergent evolution of floral zygomorphy, but their role in the development of actinomorphic flowers is still unknown. In Solanaceae, previous analysis has identified two paralogs of CYC2-like genes, CYC2-I and CYC2-II, resulting from gene duplication that predates the origin the family. Furthermore, the expression of these CYC2 paralogs occurs in all five functional stamens of S. lycopersicum. Here, we report on the function of CYC2-like genes during floral development in Solanaceae based on the results of VIGS. Our VIGS experiment using tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based vector in S. lycopersicum showed that down regulation of both CYC2-I and CYC2-II leads to retarded germination of the pollen tube, misshaped petals, unequal growth of the petals, and sometimes extra petals. Ongoing work on down regulation of CYC2-I and CYC2-II in N. obtusifolia will further illustrate the role of CYC2-like genes in the development of actinomorphic flowers. Our preliminary findings suggest the potential role of CYC2-like genes in the development of petals and pollen in actinomorphic flowers of Solanaceae. Keyword: Solanaceae, TCP genes, Solanum lycopersicum, Nicotiana obtusifolia, Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV), Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), Actinomorphy, Reverse genetics, pollen germination, CYC2-like genes.

1 - Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Biology, 1000 W. Cary St, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
2 - Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Biology, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
3 - Virginia Commonwealth University, Department Of Botany, 1000 W Cary, Richmond, N/A, 23284, USA

Keywords:
Solanum lycopersicum
Solanaceae
TCP genes
Nicotiana obtusifolia
Tobacco Rattle Virus
TRV
Virus-induced gene silencing
VIGS
actinomorphy
Reverse genetics
pollen germination
CYC2-like genes
Cycloidea .

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)
Location: Exhibit Hall/Omni Hotel
Date: Monday, June 26th, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEV003
Abstract ID:412
Candidate for Awards:Developmental and Structural Section best poster