Transcriptome Analyses of Standing Genetic Variation and Phenotypic Plasticity in Conifer Trees

植物和树木在短期内(几十年到几百年)对加速的气候变暖和其他环境变化的适应性取决于它们固有的表型可塑性和现有种群中的长期遗传变异。最近的研究表明，部分复杂表型的遗传变异是通过基因表达来发挥作用的，因此，发现转录丰度变化的遗传基础是理解表型变异的核心。我的发现研究计划旨在加强我们对针叶树转录组的理解，因为它与复杂特征的多样性和遗传结构有关。这项建议建立在我的团队最近的成就基础上，包括在针叶树上发展大规模的RNA图谱能力，发现基因表达的广泛可遗传变异，发现控制新陈代谢的转录网络，以及抗虫基因。本提案提出的短期目标利用转录组分析在针叶树遗传多样性和具有适应意义的表型之间架起桥梁，并旨在： 1.通过单倍体分析表征基因表达的多样性和遗传结构 2.研究基因拷贝数变化对基因表达多样性的影响 3.利用eQTL分析研究基因网络 4.鉴定涉及MYB的转录网络及其在代谢可塑性中的作用 5.研究影响形成层成熟的调控机制(微RNA)以及可能与控制代谢可塑性的调控网络的相互作用 6.基因表达的多样性与昆虫抗性的适应意义机制有关 所要求的资金将用于培训6名研究生和4名本科生。这些资金将使现在和未来的受训者能够获得尖端技术--在任何地方都可以获得的最先进的针叶树技术之一--并使其能够产生高度原创的贡献。

Adaptability of plants and trees to accelerated climate warming and other environmental changes over the short term (decades to centuries) depends on their inherent phenotypic plasticity and standing genetic variation within existing populations. Recent studies show that a proportion of the genetic variants underlying complex phenotypes exert their effects through gene expression; so, discovering the genetic basis for the variation in transcript abundance is central to understanding phenotypic variation. My discovery research program aims to enhance our understanding of the conifer transcriptome as it relates to diversity and genetic architecture of complex traits. The proposal builds on my group's recent achievements including the development of large-scale RNA profiling capacity in conifer trees, discovery of extensive heritable variation in gene expression, discovery of transcriptional networks controlling metabolism, and an insect resistance gene. The short-term objectives presented in this proposal leverage transcriptome analyses to bridge between genetic diversity and phenotypes of adaptive significance in conifer trees, and aim to: 1. Characterize the diversity and genetic architecture of gene expression through haploid analyses 2. Investigate the impact of gene copy number varying on gene expression diversity 3. Investigate gene networks by eQTL analysis 4. Characterize transcriptional networks involving MYBs and their role in metabolic plasticity 5. Investigate regulatory mechanisms (micro RNAs) that influence cambial maturation and possible interactions with regulatory networks controlling metabolic plasticity 6. Link diversity in gene expression to mechanisms of adaptive significance for insect resistance The requested funds will support the training of six graduate students and four undergraduates. These funds will give present and future trainees access to cutting-edge technology - among the most advanced that are available anywhere for conifers - and enable the production of highly original contributions.