Date:
Location:
Natalia Pabón-Mora
Associate Professor, University of Antioquia
Visiting Fulbright Fellow, Harvard University
Title: Dissecting holoparasitic plants: evo-devo case studies in Cucurbitales and Piperales
Abstract: Plant-plant parasitism comes with drastic structural modifications of the parasitic plant, as well as atypical physiological and genetic adjustments in both the parasite and the host in the race for survival. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed that in flowering plants, direct penetration of the host tissue by a feeding organ called the haustorium has evolved independently 12 times. The ca. 4750 parasitic plants constitute only 2% of all angiosperm diversity; however, they exhibit some of the most extraordinary modifications in terms of development, adaptations, and reproductive strategies. The most dramatic developmental reductions occur in the holoparasites, which grow completely inside of their hosts as parenchymatic cells, lack typical roots, shoots and leaves, and become visible only through emerging flowers and fruits. Using genomics, comparative transcriptomics and targeting key gene candidates we have addressed some of the most interesting developmental landmarks in two holoparasitic lineages: the Hydnoraceae (Piperales) and the Apodanthaceae (Cucurbitales). We will specifically highlight the genetic bases for maintenance of stem cells in the absence of primary meristems, the signals perceived for reproductive transitions in the absence of typical photoperiod sensing leaves, and the endogenous capacity for organogenesis inside of the host. We will discuss the convergent and unique features of these remarkable plants from an evolutionary developmental biology perspective.
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