Investigations into the Developmental, Genetic and Molecular Events Underlying Changes in Floral Morphology Associated with Speciation and Sex in Plants

研究植物中与物种形成和性别相关的花形态变化背后的遗传、发育和分子事件。P.I.史蒂文·D·坦克斯利(康奈尔大学)奖励摘要植物和动物中的性别被认为是一种控制交配和(长期)避免近亲繁殖抑制和保持遗传变异的方法。出于这个原因，大多数动物物种既有雄性也有雌性。相比之下，大多数植物物种并不表现出离散的性别。尽管如此，植物已经进化出非常有效的机制来促进异花受精和避免自花受精。其中一个机制涉及花结构的改变，这可以促进自花授粉或异花授粉。这些花结构变化背后的发育和分子过程还不是很清楚。以番茄及其野生近缘为模型，我们将开始分离和表征影响植物交配行为的花形态变化背后的基因和发育机制。此外，我们将试图确定共同的发育过程是否参与了整个植物界交配系统的进化。因此，这项工作将为对植物交配行为的遗传和生态基础感兴趣的研究人员提供一个起点。在实践方面，了解交配控制的基础是农业的关键，因为所有植物育种技术和大多数商业杂交都依赖于控制交配行为。

Title: Investigations into the Genetic, Developmental and Molecular Events Underlying Changes in Floral Morphology Associated with Speciation and Sex in PlantsP.I. Steven D. Tanksley (Cornell University)Reward AbstractSex in plants and animals has presumably evolved as a way to control mating and (in the long term) to avoid inbreeding depression and maintain genetic variation. For this reason, most animal species possess both male and female sexes. In contrast, most plant species do not display discrete sexes. Nonetheless, plants have evolved very effective mechanisms to promote cross fertilization and avoid self-fertilization. One of these mechanisms involves changes in flower structure that can promote either self pollination or cross pollination. The developmental and molecular processes underlying these changes in floral structure are not well understood. Using tomato, and its wild relatives, as a model, we will begin to isolate and characterize the genes and developmental mechanisms underlying the changes in floral morphology that affect mating behavior in plants. Moreover, we will try to determine whether common developmental processes have been involved in the evolution of mating systems throughout the plant kingdom. Hence, this work will provide a starting point for researchers interested in the genetic and ecological bases for mating behavior in plants. On the practical side, understanding the basis for mating control is key to agriculture as all plant breeding techniques and most commercial hybrids rely on controlling mating behavior.