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Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Identification of the Genes Involved in Stomatal Development via Epidermal Phenotype Scoring
Published on: January 20, 2023
Natural epialleles of Arabidopsis SUPERMAN display superwoman phenotypes
Ramesh Bondada1, Saravanakumar Somasundaram1, Mohan Premanand Marimuthu2
1School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Thiruvananthapuram, Vithura, Kerala, 695551, India.
Abstract:
Epimutations are heritable changes in gene function due to loss or gain of DNA cytosine methylation or chromatin modifications without changes in the DNA sequence. Only a few natural epimutations displaying discernible phenotypes are documented in plants. Here, we report natural epimutations in the cadastral gene, SUPERMAN(SUP), showing striking phenotypes despite normal transcription, discovered in a natural tetraploid, and subsequently in eleven diploid Arabidopsis genetic accessions. This natural lois lane(lol) epialleles behave as recessive mendelian alleles displaying a spectrum of silent to strong superwoman phenotypes affecting only the carpel whorl, in contrast to semi-dominant superman or supersex features manifested by induced epialleles which affect both stamen and carpel whorls. Despite its unknown origin, natural lol epialleles are subjected to the same epigenetic regulation as induced clk epialleles. The existence of superwoman epialleles in diverse wild populations is interpreted in the light of the evolution of unisexuality in plants.
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