Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a widespread phenomenon in flowering plants caused by mitochondrial (mt) genes. CMS genes typically encode novel proteins that interfere with mt functions and can be silenced by nuclear fertility-restorer genes. Although the molecular basis of CMS is well established in a number of crop systems, our understanding of it in natural populations is far more limited. To identify CMS genes in a gynodioecious plant, Silene vulgaris, we constructed mt transcriptomes and compared transcript levels and RNA editing patterns in floral bud tissue from female and hermaphrodite full siblings. The transcriptomes from female and hermaphrodite individuals were very similar overall with respect to variation in levels of transcript abundance across the genome, the extent of RNA editing, and the order in which RNA editing and intron splicing events occurred. We found only a single genomic region that was highly overexpressed and differentially edited in females relative to hermaphrodites. This region is not located near any other transcribed elements and lacks an open-reading frame (ORF) of even moderate size. To our knowledge, this transcript would represent the first non-coding mt RNA associated with CMS in plants and is, therefore, an important target for future functional validation studies.

• MeSH
• editace RNA MeSH
• květy genetika   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• mitochondriální geny * MeSH
• nekódující RNA * MeSH
• neplodnost rostlin * MeSH
• rostlinné proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Silene genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• transkriptom * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH

Accurate gene expression measurements are essential in studies of both crop and wild plants. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) has become a preferred tool for gene expression estimation. A selection of suitable reference genes for the normalization of transcript levels is an essential prerequisite of accurate RT-qPCR results. We evaluated the expression stability of eight candidate reference genes across roots, leaves, flower buds and pollen of Silene vulgaris (bladder campion), a model plant for the study of gynodioecy. As random priming of cDNA is recommended for the study of organellar transcripts and poly(A) selection is indicated for nuclear transcripts, we estimated gene expression with both random-primed and oligo(dT)-primed cDNA. Accordingly, we determined reference genes that perform well with oligo(dT)- and random-primed cDNA, making it possible to estimate levels of nucleus-derived transcripts in the same cDNA samples as used for organellar transcripts, a key benefit in studies of cyto-nuclear interactions. Gene expression variance was estimated by RefFinder, which integrates four different analytical tools. The SvACT and SvGAPDH genes were the most stable candidates across various organs of S. vulgaris, regardless of whether pollen was included or not.

• MeSH
• komplementární DNA genetika   MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce metody   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce s reverzní transkripcí metody   MeSH
• rostlinné geny * MeSH
• sekvenční analýza RNA MeSH
• Silene genetika   MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• validační studie MeSH

The FT/TFL1 gene family controls important aspects of plant development: MFT-like genes affect germination, TFL1-like genes act as floral inhibitors, and FT-like genes are floral activators. Gene duplications produced paralogs with modified functions required by the specific lifestyles of various angiosperm species. We constructed the transcriptome of the weedy annual plant Chenopodium rubrum and used it for the comprehensive search for the FT/TFL1 genes. We analyzed their phylogenetic relationships across Amaranthaceae and all angiosperms. We discovered a very ancient phylogenetic clade of FT genes represented by the CrFTL3 gene of C. rubrum Another paralog CrFTL2 showed an unusual structural rearrangement which might have contributed to the functional shift. We examined the transcription patterns of the FT/TFL1 genes during the vegetative growth and floral transition in C. rubrum to get clues about their possible functions. All the genes except for the constitutively expressed CrFTL2 gene, and the CrFTL3 gene, which was transcribed only in seeds, exhibited organ-specific expression influenced by the specific light regime. The CrFTL1 gene was confirmed as a single floral activator from the FT/TFL1 family in C. rubrum Its floral promoting activity may be counteracted by CrTFL1 C. rubrum emerges as an easily manipulated model for the study of floral induction in weedy fast-cycling plants lacking a juvenile phase.

• MeSH
• Amaranthaceae klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• genom rostlinný MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• květy genetika   MeSH
• molekulární evoluce * MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• multigenová rodina MeSH
• orgánová specificita MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u rostlin * MeSH
• rostlinné geny * MeSH
• rostlinné proteiny chemie   genetika   MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• světlo MeSH
• transkriptom MeSH
• výpočetní biologie metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH