Abstract Detail

Evolution, Development, and BSA Genetics of Floral Display - Form, Size, and Arrangement

Bartlett, Madelaine [1].

Organ Identity and Organ Boundaries in Floral Development and Evolution.

When considering floral diversification, variation in a few key factors generates substantial morphological variability. Changes to floral organ identity, floral symmetry, and floral organ boundaries have all contributed significantly to diversity in floral form. Studying genetic mutants in model systems that vary in each of these traits can reveal gene and gene network candidates that can be leveraged for greater understanding of floral morphology and evolution in intractable systems. I will be discussing our work characterizing floral mutants of maize that show disrupted organ identity, and fluid organ boundaries. One gene we cloned and characterized, sterile tassel silky ear1 (sts1), is an ortholog of the B-class MADS box gene from Arabidopsis thaliana, PISTILLATA. Our characterization of sts1 has shed light not only on the specification of organ identity in maize, but has also provided insight into the development of zygomorphy in maize and the grasses. We have also characterized the evolutionary history of protein-protein interactions between STS1-like proteins and their partners in the Poales, and are working to understand the consequences of shifting MADS-box protein-protein interactions to the evolution of gene regulation.

1 - University Of Massachusetts, 611 North Pleasant Street, 108 Morrill 3, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

Keywords:
Development
Molecular evolution
genetics
floral evolution.

Presentation Type: Symposium Presentation
Session: SY05, Evolution, Development, and Genetics of Floral Display - Form, Size, and Arrangement
Location: Chatham Ballroom - B/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: SY05006
Abstract ID:345
Candidate for Awards:None