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Abstract Detail



Molecular Ecology

Bechen, Lindsey [1], Wickett, Norman [2], Johnson, Matthew [3], Levin, Rachel [4], Jogesh, Tania [5], Overson, Rick [6], Fant, Jeremie [7], Raguso, Robert [8], Skogen , Krissa Ann [9].

Differential gene expression associated with a floral scent polymorphism in the evening primrose Oenothera harringtonii (Onagraceae).

Plant volatiles are critical components of plant-pollinator and plant-herbivore interactions, but studies that explore the patterns of differential gene expression that underlay intraspecific volatile polymorphisms are rare. Oenothera harringtonii is polymorphic for the production of the monoterpene (R)-(-)-linalool; however, the genes encoding its biosynthesis in Onagraceae are unknown. To determine possible candidate genes, we used RNA-Seq to compare gene expression of floral and leaf tissue from plants that emit (R)-(-)-linalool and plants that do not. We identified 6577 differentially expressed genes that could be grouped into 12 clusters of similar expression patterns. Three of these clusters were enriched for terpene synthase activity, suggesting a possible role in (R)-(-)-linalool production. We used a Hidden Markov Model to identify 40 terpene synthase proteins from O. harringtonii, which were then classified into seven terpense synthase subfamilies using a phylogenomic analysis. Two of these proteins were characterized by up-regulation in floral tissues of (R)-(-)-linalool producing plants and represent strong candidates for (R)-(-)-linalool synthase in Oenothera.


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1 - Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, USA
2 - Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
3 - Texas Tech University, Biological Sciences, 2901 Main Street, Ms3131, Lubbock, TX, 79409, United States
4 - Amherst College, Department Of Biology, McGuire Life Sciences Building, Amherst, MA, 01002, United States
5 - Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
6 - Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
7 - Chicago Botanic Gardens, Plant Biology And Conservation , 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
8 - Cornell University, Dept. Of Neurobiology And Behavior, W355 Mudd Hall, 215 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
9 - Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60022, USA

Keywords:
Onagraceae
plant volatiles
RNA-Seq
Differential Expression Analysis
linalool
floral scent
transcriptomics.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 22, Molecular Ecology
Location: 107/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Tuesday, July 24th, 2018
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: 22008
Abstract ID:511
Candidate for Awards:None


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