ABSTRACT: Comparative transcriptomes of bisexual flowers, and unisexual mutants reveal the potential sex-determination factors in orchid Cymbidium tortisepalum
Project description:To further elucidate the molecular mechanism underling sex determination at the divergence stage of male and female flowers, the comparative transcriptome analysis was performed. In total, 56,065 unigenes were generated 24,567 transcripts were identified. Among 608 differential expression genes (DEGs), 310 DEGs showed significant expression in males and 298 DEGs in females. The data showed that the sexual dimorphism of female flowers was affected by jasmonic acid, transcription factors and some genes related with activity of floral meristem, which were considered as the candidate sex determination genes. In this study, interesting information will be provided in understanding the development of unisexual flower and the regulatory networks hidden the sex determination in V. fordii, which is useful for the practice of improving its yield.
Project description:Dioecy is an important sexual system wherein, male and female flowers are borne on separate unisexual plants. Knowledge of sex-related differences can enhance our understanding in molecular and developmental processes leading to unisexual flower development. Coccinia grandis is a dioecious species belonging to Cucurbitaceae, a family well-known for diverse sexual systems. Male and female plants of C. grandis have 22A+XY and 22A+XX chromosomes respectively. Previously, we have reported a gynomonoecious form (GyM) (22A+XX) of C. grandis bearing morphologically hermaphrodite flowers (GyM-H) and female flowers (GyM-F). Also, we showed that foliar spray of silver nitrate on female C. grandis plant induces development of morphologically hermaphrodite buds (Ag-H) despite the absence of Y chromosome. To identify sex-related differences, total protein from the flower buds of male, female, GyM-H and Ag-H of C. grandis at early and middle stages of development were analysed by a powerful label-free proteomics approach on ABSCIEX Triple TOF 5600 platform.
Project description:Impaired chloroplast biogenesis causes color variation between two varieties/cultivars of Chinese orchid (Cymbidium longibracteatum)
Project description:To explore the mechanisms governing the leaf color variations in Chinese orchids, we analyzed gene expression differences between a wild-type and an albino-type cultivar of Cymbidium longibracteatum
