Quantifying the expression of progenitor homeologs in the genes responsible for creating floral anthocyanins in N. quadrivalvis and N. clevelandii allopolyploids

Authors: Brooke Tillotson, Elizabeth McCarthy

SUNY Campus: SUNY Cortland

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: UU 111

Presentation #: 65

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: Organisms that have more than two sets set of chromosomes, meaning each progenitor passed down more than one copy of their genes, are known as polyploids. Polyploids that are created through the hybridization of two species are known as allopolyploids. Hybridization results in genetic diversity and can contribute to variation in phenotype, such as differences in flower color. Flower color is important because it attracts a variety of pollinators who see color differently and play a vital role in flower reproduction. Flower color is determined through the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway where enzymes work sequentially to produce anthocyanin or flavonol pigments. Early pathway enzymes include CHS, CHI and F3H. From there, the pathway branches, and DFR and ANS will move the pathway towards anthocyanins while F3’H and F3’5’H will shift to different branches to create the different anthocyanin pigments. While flavonols are colorless pigments, anthocyanins are colorful with pelargonidin, cyanidin and delphinidin being red, pink and purple pigments, respectively. This study will quantify the expression of progenitor homeologs of anthocyanin genes in Nicotiana quadrivalvis and N. clevelandii allopolyploids, which are ~1 million years old and the progeny of N. obtusifolia and N. attenuata diploids, using droplet-digital PCR (ddPCR). ddPCR is a technique that uses fluorescence to measure the abundance of certain genes in the reaction. The data collected will be compared to pigment data obtained previously to investigate if differences in expression of progenitor gene copies correlate with pigment differences.