Abstract Detail

Functional Genetics/Genomics

Spoelhof, Jonathan [1], Soltis, Douglas [2], Soltis, Pamela S. [3].

Polyploidy and mutation in Arabidopsis.

Genome structure influences the fate and impact of genetic mutations. Compared to diploids, polyploids possess more redundant gene copies that mitigate the effects of deleterious mutations. However, structural variation between auto- and allopolyploid genomes, and between neopolyploid and older polyploid genomes, may influence the extent to which polyploid organisms experience this benefit. Diploid Arabidopsis thaliana, synthetic (neopolyploid) and natural autotetraploid A. thaliana, and synthetic and natural allotetraploid A. suecica, were subjected to mutagenesis (via ethyl methanesulfonate, or EMS) and measured to determine the aggregate impact of induced mutations on reproductive fitness traits. The effects of mutagenesis on these traits, including germination, survival to flowering, number of fruits per plant, and average number of seeds per fruit, were analyzed for differences between different types (auto- and allopolyploid) and ages (synthetic neopolyploid and natural polyploid) of tetraploid Arabidopsis lines. As expected, the fitness of tetraploid Arabidopsis lines decreased less in response to mutagenesis than diploid lines. Among the tetraploid lines, the fitness of autotetraploid lines and established tetraploid lines decreased less in response to mutagenesis than the fitness of allotetraploid lines and synthetic tetraploid lines, respectively. The implications of these results for molecular evolution in polyploid plants are discussed.

1 - University Of Florida, Florida Museum Of Natural History, Dickinson Hall, 1659 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
2 - University of Florida, Biology, Gainesville, FL
3 - University Of Florida, Florida Museum Of Natural History, Gainesville, FL, 32611.0, United States

Keywords:
allopolyploid
autopolyploid
EMS
fitness
mutagenesis
synthetic polyploid.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 8, Functional Genetics and Genomics
Location: 109/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 8001
Abstract ID:184
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award