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Transcriptomic analyses reveal common heterophylly regulations in eight amphibious eudicots
Gaojie Li1,2, Tomoaki Sakamoto3,4, Seisuke Kimura3,4
1State Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 7 Donghu South Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China.
Plant & Cell Physiology
|March 23, 2026
Summary
Amphibious plants exhibit heterophylly, producing different leaf shapes in water versus on land. This study reveals key genes and processes, like abscisic acid signaling, that regulate these adaptive leaf changes in eudicots.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Heterophylly, the production of diverse leaf forms by a single plant in response to environmental cues, is common in nature.
- Amphibious plants, capable of thriving in both terrestrial and submerged conditions, represent a fascinating model for studying adaptive plasticity.
- Understanding the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying heterophylly is crucial for insights into plant adaptation and evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenotypic and transcriptomic changes associated with heterophylly in eight amphibious eudicot species.
- To identify key genes and pathways involved in regulating leaf shape, stomatal development, and phytohormone biosynthesis under different environmental conditions.
- To explore the convergent evolutionary patterns of heterophylly across diverse amphibious eudicots.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic analysis of leaf shape variation in terrestrial and submerged environments.
- Transcriptomic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between conditions.
- Quantification of leaf complexity using the dissection index (DI).
- Functional validation of candidate genes, including class I KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEOBOX (KNOX1) genes, using transgenic Arabidopsis.
Main Results:
- The dissection index (DI) effectively quantifies leaf complexity in heterophyllous species.
- Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to leaf shape, stomatal development, and abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis were identified.
- Stomatal density and related gene expression decrease under submerged conditions.
- Class I KNOX1 genes play a role in regulating leaf shape, and CATALASE genes are upregulated under submergence, suggesting ABA's importance in heterophylly.
Conclusions:
- Amphibious eudicots display both common and unique mechanisms regulating heterophylly.
- Convergent evolution shapes leaf form plasticity in response to aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
- This study provides valuable genomic resources for understanding the evolution of heterophylly and plant adaptation.
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