Floral color, anthocyanin synthesis gene expression and control in Cape Erica species

Files
lemaitre_floral_2019.pdf(4.18 MB)
Date
2019-11-28
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Abstract
Introduction: The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a biodiversity hotspot, recognized globally for its unusually high levels of endemism. The origins of this biodiversity are a long-standing topic of research. The largest “Cape clade,” Erica, radiated dramatically in the CFR, its ca. 690 species arising within 10–15 Ma. Notable between- and within-species flower color variation in Erica may have contributed to the origins of species diversity through its impact on pollinator efficiency and specificity. Methods: We investigate the expression and function of the genes of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway that controls floral color in 12 Erica species groups using RT-qPCR and UPLC-MS/MS. Results: Shifts from ancestral pink- or red- to white- and/or yellow flowers were associated with independent losses of single pathway gene expression, abrogation of the entire pathway due to loss of the expression of a transcription factor or loss of function mutations in pathway genes. Discussion: Striking floral color shifts are prevalent amongst the numerous species of Cape Erica. These results show independent origins of a palette of mutations leading to such shifts, revealing the diverse genetic basis for potentially rapid evolution of a speciation-relevant trait.
Description
CITATION: Le Maitre, N. C., Pirie, M. D. & Bellstedt, D. U. 2019. Floral color, anthocyanin synthesis gene expression and control in Cape Erica species. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10:1565, doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.01565.
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Ericas -- Cape Floristic Region -- Floral color, Ericas -- Cape Floristic Region -- Anthocyanin synthesis, Ericas -- Diversification, Ericas -- Cape Floristic Region -- Gene expression
Citation
Le Maitre, N. C., Pirie, M. D. & Bellstedt, D. U. 2019. Floral color, anthocyanin synthesis gene expression and control in Cape Erica species. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10:1565, doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.01565
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107343
Collections
Research Articles (Biochemistry)