A phylogenetic study of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase multigene family in Poaceae: understanding the molecular changes linked to C4 photosynthesis evolution

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_8893933F0599
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
A phylogenetic study of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase multigene family in Poaceae: understanding the molecular changes linked to C4 photosynthesis evolution
Journal
Kew Bulletin
Author(s)
Christin P.A., Salamin N., Savolainen V., Besnard G.
ISSN
1874-933X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2007
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
62
Number
3
Pages
455-462
Language
english
Abstract
Phylogenetic reconstructions have supported several independent appearances of C₄ photosynthesis within grasses (Poaceae). These recurrent appearances appear to contradict the large number of biochemical and morphological changes required to change from C₃ to C₄, a paradox that leads to questions about the genetic changes underlying C₄ evolution. In this study, we analysed sequences encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases (PEPCs) in grasses in order to gain insights into the origin of the ppc-C₄ gene, which encodes a key enzyme in the C₄ pathway. We screened databanks for PEPC genes or cDNAs in grasses. A coding sequence of 1130 base pairs was used to build phylogenetic trees that supported the existence of four distinct PEPC gene lineages. Ppc-C₄ present in all C₄ grasses was also found in two C₃ species. The ppc-C₄ clade was congruent with the species tree, suggesting orthologous evolution. This result would imply that ppc-C₄ appeared without any duplication event. Nevertheless, caution is needed since the sampling of our study is still far from comprehensive. Further investigation with an increased sampling is recommended to elucidate the evolutionary changes underlying ppc-C₄ gene evolution in grasses.
Keywords
C4 photosynthesis, grasses, molecular evolution, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, phylogeny, Poaceae
Create date
19/03/2008 11:13
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:47
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