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Published on: February 14, 2020
Conservation and diversification of SCARECROW in maize
Jun Lim1, Jee W Jung, Chae Eun Lim
1Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 143-701 Seoul, Korea. jlim@konkuk.ac.kr
Plant Molecular Biology
|October 26, 2005
Summary
The maize SCARECROW (ZmSCR) gene complements Arabidopsis mutants, indicating conserved function. However, its distinct expression patterns suggest ZmSCR has diversified roles in maize development compared to its Arabidopsis counterpart.
Area of Science:
- Plant developmental biology
- Molecular genetics
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- The SCARECROW (SCR) gene is crucial for ground tissue formation via asymmetric cell divisions in Arabidopsis roots and shoots.
- Zea mays SCARECROW (ZmSCR) has been identified as the likely maize ortholog of Arabidopsis SCR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate conserved and divergent aspects of ZmSCR function and expression.
- To explore the evolutionary relationship between SCR and ZmSCR.
Main Methods:
- Complementation analysis of the Arabidopsis scr mutant using ZmSCR.
- Expression pattern analysis of ZmSCR during maize embryogenesis and in the shoot system.
- Phylogenetic analysis of SCARECROW-LIKE (SCL) genes in Arabidopsis, rice, and maize.
Main Results:
- ZmSCR successfully complemented the Arabidopsis scr mutant phenotype, indicating functional conservation.
- ZmSCR exhibited distinct expression patterns, including early embryonic expression and localization to the endodermal lineage in the root, with absence from the maize shoot meristem.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SCL23 is the closest relative to SCR in both eudicots and monocots, suggesting a gene duplication event predating monocot-dicot divergence.
Conclusions:
- ZmSCR possesses conserved functions with Arabidopsis SCR but has also diversified in its expression and potential roles in maize development.
- The evolutionary history of SCR and its relatives, like SCL23, provides insights into the diversification of developmental pathways in plants.
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