Abstract Detail

Genomics / Proteomics

Eserman, Lauren [1], Leebens-Mack, James H. [2].

Evolution and development of storage roots in morning glories.

The evolution of complex morphological traits has long been of interest to evolutionary biologists. The eudicot root system is composed of a primary root and many lateral roots that grow outward from the primary root. In some species, the primary root and a number of lateral roots enlarge to form a starch-rich storage organ, called a storage root. These storage roots are characterized as having an accumulation of starch in tissue known as the anomalous cambium. We have been investigating gene expression in storage roots (SRs) and fine roots (FRs) sampled from SR forming/non-SR forming species pairs. Anatomical assessment of starch accumulation and xylem location was done for all species included in the comparative RNA Seq study. The pattern of starch accumulation in SRs is similar among all SR forming species. Xylem location is similar among SR forming species within the Ipomoeeae but differs in the outgroup, Merremia dissecta. This suggests there may have been at least two independent origins of storage roots in morning glories. Analysis of gene expression profiles in one SR/non-SR species pair revealed similar ortholog expression patterns in FRs for both species and a large number of genes upregulated in SRs from the SR species. SR upregulated genes correspond to known pathways for starch metabolism and plant hormone signal transduction, among many others. We are currently testing for similar patterns of differential gene expression in other SR/non-SR species pairs.

1 - University of Georgia, Plant Biology, 2505 Miller Plant Sciences, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
2 - University of Georgia, 2505 Miller Plant Sciences, Plant Biology, Athens, GA, 30602, United States

Keywords:
morning glories
storage root
root anatomy
transcriptomics
RNA Sequencing.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 39
Location: Salon 19/20/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2015
Time: 11:15 AM
Number: 39009
Abstract ID:1075
Candidate for Awards:None