PRJNA263447
Differential transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) of differentially sized petal pairs elucidates monosymmetric corolla development of Iberis amara
In the co-evolution between insects and plants, the establishment of floral monosymmetry was an important step in angiosperm development as it facilitated the interaction with insect pollinators and, by that, likely enhanced angiosperm diversification. In Antirrhiunm majus, the TCP/CYC2 transcription factor CYCLOIDEA is the molecular key regulator driving the formation of floral monosymmetry. In the monosymmetric crucifer Iberis amara, formation of the different petal pairs coincides with a stronger expression of the CYC-homolog IaTCP1 in the small, adaxial petals. RNA-Seq was employed to reconstruct the petal transcriptome of the non-model species Iberis amara. The transcriptome gives detailed insight into the molecular mechanisms governing late petal development. In addition, it was used as a scaffold to detect genes differentially expressed between the small, adaxial and the large, abaxial petals in order to understand the molecular mechanisms driving unequal petal growth, likely governed by the TCP/CYC2 transcription factor IaTCP1.