Abstract Detail

Genomics / Proteomics

Bechen, Lindsey [1], Overson, Rick [2], Johnson, Matthew [3], Fant, Jeremie [4], Levin, Rachel [1], Robert, Raguso [5], Skogen, Krissa [6], Wickett, Norm [7].

Organ-specific transcriptomes of Oenothera harringtonii (Onagraceae) and associated variation in floral scent.

Floral scent has a fundamental influence on the evolution of many plant-insect interactions and can contribute to both positive (i.e., pollination) and negative (e.g. pollen larcenists, seed predators) fitness effects for the plant. Previous studies have shown that floral scent in Oenothera harringtonii (Onagraceae) can vary among populations and there appears to be a geographic pattern in the distribution of a particular component of floral scent: linalool. Oenothera harringtonii is a narrowly endemic, annual evening primrose found in southeastern Colorado; in addition to being primarily hawkmoth pollinated, O. harringtonii serves as a host plant for some hawkmoth larvae and for the larvae of the microlepidopteran moth genus, Mompha. Despite high levels of gene flow and little differentiation of populations across its range, there appears to be strong population structure for two primary chemotypes (linalool + and linalool -). Population structure is also observed relative to the abundance of either hawkmoth or Mompha larvae, which may be, at least in part, related to floral scent. As part of a larger, ongoing project to test the role of floral scent (linalool in particular) in the evolution of Onagraceae, we present an analysis of floral organ-specific relative expression for individuals of O. harringtonii producing high levels of linalool and for individuals producing low levels of linalool. In total, 32 RNA-Seq libraries were sequenced for six plants (three + linalool, and three - linalool); separate libraries were constructed for the hypanthium, petals, stamen, stigma/style, flower bud, and a young leaf. Here, we discuss the pattern of differentially expressed genes for both tissue type and chemotype.

1 - Amherst College, Department Of Biology, McGuire Life Sciences Building, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA
2 - Chicago Botanic Garden, Plant Biology and Conservation, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, Illinois, 60022, United States
3 - Chicago Botanic Garden, Plant Sciences, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60626, United States
4 - Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
5 - Cornell University, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
6 - Chicago Botanic Garden, Conservation Scientist, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60022, USA
7 - Chicago Botanic Garden, Plant Science and Conservation, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60022, USA

Keywords:
transcriptomes
differential expression
Genomics
gene expression
floral volatiles
pollination
RNA-seq
onagraceae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 19, Genomics & Proteomics I
Location: 105/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 9:15 AM
Number: 19006
Abstract ID:720
Candidate for Awards:None