Sammanfattning

The endosperm is a developmental innovation of angiosperms that supports embryo growth and germination. Aside from this essential reproductive function, the endosperm fuels angiosperm evolution by rapidly establishing reproductive barriers between incipient species. Specifically, the endosperm prevents hybridization of newly formed polyploids with their non-polyploid progenitors, a phenomenon termed the triploid block. Furthermore, recently diverged diploid species are frequently reproductively isolated by endosperm-based hybridization barriers. Current genetic approaches have revealed a prominent role for epigenetic processes establishing these barriers. In particular, imprinted genes, which are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, underpin the interploidy barrier in the model species Arabidopsis. We will discuss the mechanisms establishing hybridization barriers in the endosperm, the driving forces for these barriers and their impact for angiosperm evolution.This article is part of the theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?'

Nyckelord

polyploidy; endosperm; hybridization barrier; speciation; genomic imprinting; triploid block

Publicerad i

Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences
2021, Volym: 376, nummer: 1826, artikelnummer: 20200118
Utgivare: ROYAL SOC

SLU författare

• Köhler, Claudia

  • Institutionen för växtbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Dziasek, Katarzyna

  • Institutionen för växtbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Del Toro De Leon, Gerardo

  • Institutionen för växtbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Genetik


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2020.0118

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/111988