The evolution of plant regulatory networks: what Arabidopsis cannot say for itself.
Genetic and molecular analyses in the dicot model plant Arabidopsis thaliana have begun to shed some light on regulatory networks in plants. However, comparisons with other species are necessary to validate networks identified in model species on the evolutionary scale. Many key regulatory proteins are encoded by members of transcription factor gene families. Orthologous genes can be identified by phylogenetic reconstructions based on conserved protein domains and functionally substantiated by gene expression patterns and mutant analyses. Recent comparative analyses of different pathways involved in shoot meristem development reveal not only conservation from basal land plants to angiosperms but also evolutionary freedom for significant adaptations in the course of plant speciation.
Nardmann
Judith
J
Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie Universität zu Köln, Gyrhofstr. 17, 50923 Köln, Germany.
Werr
Wolfgang
W
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D006706:Homeostasis; D018519:Meristem / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D050436:Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins