Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
08:09
Annotation of Plant Gene Function via Combined Genomics, Metabolomics and Informatics
Published on: June 17, 2012
Comparative co-expression analysis in plant biology
Sara Movahedi1, Michiel Van Bel, Ken S Heyndrickx
1Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Gent, Belgium Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium.
Plant, Cell & Environment
|April 12, 2012
Summary
Comparing gene expression across plant species reveals conserved functional modules. This approach aids in understanding gene function and translating knowledge from model plants to crops, despite technical challenges.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Gene expression analysis reveals functional relationships between co-regulated genes.
- The guilt-by-association principle uses large-scale expression data to study gene programs and functions.
- Comparative transcriptomics integrates gene homology and expression data across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for systematic comparison of plant gene expression data across species.
- To highlight the potential of comparative transcriptomics for knowledge translation in plants.
- To discuss challenges and future applications in plant comparative transcriptomics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of high-throughput microarray transcript profiling data.
- Integration of gene homology, expression patterns, functional annotations, and experimental data (protein-protein interactions, phenotypes, tissue-specific expression).
- Computation and display of multi-species expression networks.
Main Results:
- Transcriptionally coordinated genes are often functionally related across species.
- Conserved gene modules can be identified by integrating diverse biological data.
- Comparative transcriptomics facilitates knowledge transfer from model organisms to crops.
Conclusions:
- Systematic comparison of plant expression data across species is feasible.
- Comparative transcriptomics offers valuable insights into conserved biological mechanisms.
- Overcoming technical challenges will unlock future applications in plant science and agriculture.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
02:50Transgenic Plants
Recombinant DNA technology called transgenesis is often used to add a foreign gene or remove a detrimental gene from an organism. Such genetically modified organisms are called transgenic organisms.
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...
01:27Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression
Gene expression in prokaryotes is governed by constitutive and regulated systems, allowing cells to balance the production of essential proteins with adaptive responses to environmental changes.Constitutive Gene ExpressionConstitutive, or housekeeping, genes are continuously expressed as they encode proteins vital for fundamental cellular processes. These include enzymes for glycolysis, ribosomal components for protein synthesis, and proteins involved in DNA replication. Their constant...
01:29Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria
The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...