| Abstract Detail
Gene Structure and Function Ocampo, Gilberto [1]. Evolution of the chloroplast infA gene in Caryophyllales. The loss of plastid genes has been shown to be a common event in angiosperm evolution. A well-documented case is the gene infA, encoding the initiation factor 1 (involved in translation), which has been lost multiple times in different angiosperm lineages. In other cases, the gene has been transferred to the nucleus, as in Mesembryanthemum crystalinum (Aizoaceae), but a non-functional copy remains in the chloroplast genome. This study examines infA in the chloroplast genome of ten families of order Caryophyllales. Most taxa seem to have functional copies, although some Portulacaceae and Cactaceae have insertions of up to 33 nucleotides at the 3’ end of the DNA strand, and two have premature termination codons. A few genera in the non-monophyletic Portulacaceae have two copies of infA located next to each other, and one of these taxa seems to have both a functional and a non-functional copy. Log in to add this item to your schedule
Related Links: Gilberto Ocampo - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
1 - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Botany, 1500 North College Avenue, Claremont, California, 91711, USA
Keywords: Cactaceae Caryophyllales infA Portulacaceae Chloroplast gene evolution pseudogene.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics Session: P1 Location: Event Tent/Cliff Lodge Date: Monday, July 27th, 2009 Time: 5:30 PM Number: P1GS001 Abstract ID:400 |