Expression analysis of hybrid flowering cherry seedlings
In this project, we address the issue of what molecular mechanisms promote post-zygotic hybrid inviability and speciation/diversification of flowering cherries. Flowering cherry (Rosaceae, genus Cerasus or Prunus subgenus Cerasus) is one of a famous ornamental tree species. We found that approximately half of the hybrid seedlings crossed between C. x yedoensis Somei-yoshino, the most famous flowering cherry cultivar, and its wild relative C. itosakura showed necrotic weak growth. To clarify the molecular mechanisms for the hybrid necrosis, we performed a comprehensive analysis of expressed genes (RNA-seq) in several flowering cherry seedlings.