Epigenetics and plant evolution.
New Phytol
; 168(1): 81-91, 2005 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16159323
ABSTRACT
A fundamental precept of evolutionary biology is that natural selection acts on phenotypes determined by DNA sequence variation within natural populations. Recent advances in our understanding of gene regulation, however, have elucidated a spectrum of epigenetic molecular phenomena capable of altering the temporal, spatial, and abundance patterns of gene expression. These modifications may have morphological, physiological, and ecological consequences, and are heritable across generations, suggesting they are important in evolution. A corollary is that genetic variation per se is not always a prerequisite to evolutionary change. Here, we provide an introduction to epigenetic mechanisms in plants, and highlight some of the empirical studies illustrative of the possible connections between evolution and epigenetically mediated alterations in gene expression and morphology.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Plantas
/
Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas
/
Evolución Biológica
Idioma:
En
Revista:
New Phytol
Asunto de la revista:
BOTANICA
Año:
2005
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos