Genetic architecture and evolution of the S locus supergene in Primula vulgaris

Li, Jinhong, Cocker, Jonathan M., Wright, Jonathan, Webster, Margaret A., McMullan, Mark, Dyer, Sarah, Swarbreck, David, Caccamo, Mario, van Oosterhout, Cock ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5653-738X and Gilmartin, Philip M. (2016) Genetic architecture and evolution of the S locus supergene in Primula vulgaris. Nature Plants, 2. ISSN 2055-026X

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Abstract

Darwin’s studies on heterostyly in Primula described two floral morphs, pin and thrum, with reciprocal anther and stigma heights that promote insect-mediated cross-pollination. This key innovation evolved independently in several angiosperm families. Subsequent studies on heterostyly in Primula contributed to the foundation of modern genetic theory and the neo-Darwinian synthesis. The established genetic model for Primula heterostyly involves a diallelic S locus comprising several genes, with rare recombination events that result in self-fertile homostyle flowers with anthers and stigma at the same height. Here we reveal the S locus supergene as a tightly-linked cluster of thrum-specific genes that are absent in pins. We show that thrums are hemizygous not heterozygous for the S locus, which suggests that homostyles do not arise by recombination between S locus haplotypes as previously proposed. Duplication of a floral homeotic gene 51.7 MYA, followed by its neofunctionalisation, created the current S locus assemblage which led to floral heteromorphy in Primula. Our findings provide new insights into the structure, function and evolution of this archetypal supergene.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	primula,s locus,heterostyly
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	17 Dec 2016 00:07
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2022 07:33
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/61759
DOI:	10.1038/nplants.2016.188

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