Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
09:17
Whole-mount Clearing and Staining of Arabidopsis Flower Organs and Siliques
Published on: April 12, 2018
The evolution and diversification of Dicers in plants
Rogerio Margis1, Adriana F Fusaro, Neil A Smith
1CSIRO Plant Industry, P.O. Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
FEBS Letters
|April 28, 2006
Summary
Plants possess multiple Dicer-like genes, crucial for microRNA production and development. This study reveals a core set of four Dicer types evolved early in plant evolution, with a fifth type emerging in monocots.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Genomics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs regulate developmental transitions in multicellular organisms.
- Dicer enzymes generate microRNAs.
- Gene copy number for Dicer-like proteins varies across kingdoms (insects, fungi, animals, plants).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diversity and evolutionary history of Dicer-like (DCL) genes in plants.
- To determine the ancestral DCL gene set in plants.
- To understand the evolutionary trajectory of DCL genes in monocots and dicots.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic analysis of Dicer-like genes in poplar and rice.
- Phylogenetic analysis to infer evolutionary relationships.
- Identification of conserved Dicer-like gene families.
Main Results:
- Arabidopsis has four Dicer-like genes.
- Poplar and rice genomes contain five and six Dicer-like genes, respectively.
- A core set of four Dicer-like gene types predates the divergence of monocots and dicots but post-dates the split from green algae.
- Evidence suggests a fifth Dicer-like gene type evolved specifically in monocots.
Conclusions:
- Plants possess an expanded repertoire of Dicer-like genes compared to many other eukaryotes.
- The evolution of a basic set of four Dicer-like genes occurred early in land plant evolution.
- Monocots have undergone further Dicer-like gene diversification.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
03:40Introduction to Seed Plants
Most plants are seed plants—characterized by seeds, pollen, and reduced gametophytes. Seed plants include gymnosperms and angiosperms.
02:22Introduction to Plant Diversity
From Water to Land
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
01:31Formation of Species
Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.Allopatric SpeciationIn allopatric speciation, gene flow between two populations of the same species is prevented by a geographic barrier, like...
02:33Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte
Seed structures are composed of a protective seed coat surrounding a plant embryo, and a food store for the developing embryo. The embryo contains the precursor tissues for leaves, stem, and roots. The endosperm and cotyledons—seed leaves—act as the food reserves for the growing embryo.
02:19Morphogenesis
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.