Open AccessFloral organ MADS-box genes in Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cercidiphyllaceae): Implications for systematic evolution and bracts definition
Author(s) -
Yupei Jin,
Yubing Wang,
Dechun Zhang,
Xiangling Shen,
Liang Wen,
Faju Chen
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0178382
Subject(s) - perianth , biology , mads box , phylogenetic tree , bract , inflorescence , botany , gene , phylogenetics , evolutionary biology , genetics , arabidopsis , stamen , pollen , mutant
The dioecious relic Cercidiphyllum japonicum is one of two species of the sole genus Cercidiphyllum , with a tight inflorescence lacking an apparent perianth structure. In addition, its systematic place has been much debated and, so far researches have mainly focused on its morphology and chloroplast genes. In our investigation, we identified 10 floral organ identity genes, including four A-class, three B-class, two C-class and one D-class. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all ten genes are grouped with Saxifragales plants, which confirmed the phylogenetic place of C . japonicum . Expression patterns of those genes were examined by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, with some variations that did not completely coincide with the ABCDE model, suggesting some subfunctionalization. As well, our research supported the idea that thebract actually is perianth according to our morphological and molecular analyses in Cercidiphyllum japonicum .