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Gene expression plasticity resulting from parental leaf damage in Mimulus guttatus
Jack M Colicchio1, Patrick J Monnahan, John K Kelly
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
The New Phytologist
|October 10, 2014
Summary
Parental leaf damage alters progeny gene expression in Mimulus guttatus, affecting traits like trichome density. This parental environmental effect likely enhances offspring survival in similar conditions.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Leaf trichome density in Mimulus guttatus is influenced by the parental environment.
- Parental environmental stress can induce transgenerational epigenetic modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate global gene expression changes in progeny of Mimulus guttatus exposed to parental leaf damage.
- To identify specific gene pathways responsive to parental environmental stress.
Main Methods:
- Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing was employed to compare gene expression.
- Isogenic seedlings from damaged and control parent plants were analyzed.
- Differential gene expression analysis was performed.
Main Results:
- Over 900 genes showed differential expression in response to parental wounding.
- Responsive genes were associated with cell wall/membrane development, stress responses, and secondary metabolism.
- Parental environment significantly and specifically modifies gene expression patterns.
Conclusions:
- Parental wounding induces targeted gene expression changes in progeny.
- These modifications likely impact multiple developmental pathways.
- Altered gene expression may confer a fitness advantage to progeny in similar environments.
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