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Conversion between duplicated genes generated by polyploidization contributes to the divergence of poplar and willow
Jianyu Wang1, Lan Zhang1, Jiaqi Wang1
1School of Life Sciences, and Center for Genomics and Computational Biology, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, 063000, Hebei, China.
BMC Plant Biology
|June 16, 2022
Summary
Gene conversion significantly impacts duplicate genes in poplar and willow following polyploidization. This process accelerates evolution and increases species divergence, particularly for genes with important biological functions.
Area of Science:
- Plant genomics
- Evolutionary biology
- Molecular genetics
Background:
- Polyploidization generates duplicate genes, influencing evolution.
- Gene conversion's role in Salicaceae duplicate gene evolution is poorly understood.
- Poplar and willow are key models in Salicaceae research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gene conversion in duplicate genes generated by Salicaceae common tetraploidization (SCT).
- To analyze the impact of gene conversion on gene evolution and expression in poplar and willow.
Main Methods:
- Genomic synteny analyses to identify SCT-generated duplicate genes.
- Estimation of whole- and partial-gene conversion rates.
- Analysis of gene distribution, expression patterns, and functional associations.
Main Results:
- Identified duplicate genes from SCT in poplar and willow genomes.
- Quantified whole- and partial-gene conversion rates, with partial conversion being more frequent.
- Observed uneven distribution of converted genes and a correlation with conserved homoeologous regions.
- Found that conversion maintained duplicate similarity but accelerated evolution and species divergence.
- Noted that converted duplicates exhibit more similar expression patterns and are enriched in multigene families and conserved domains.
Conclusions:
- Extensive gene conversion following SCT contributes to Salicaceae diversification.
- Gene conversion has lasting effects on functionally important duplicate genes.
- Conversion influences the evolution and conservation of duplicated genes in poplar and willow.
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