Identification of a gene in the process of being lost from the genus Agrostis

Plant Physiol. 2005 Aug;138(4):2386-95. doi: 10.1104/pp.105.063297. Epub 2005 Jul 1.

Abstract

Lineage-specific gene loss is considered one of the processes contributing to speciation and genome diversity. Such gene loss has been inferred from interspecies comparisons of orthologous DNA segments. Examples of intraspecific gene loss are rare. Here we report identification of a gene, designated Crs-1 (creeping specific-1), that appears to be in the process of being lost from heterozygous populations of the species creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). The Crs-1 gene encodes a protein with an N-terminal dirigent protein domain and a C-terminal lectin domain and is similar to the maize (Zea mays) beta-glucosidase aggregating factor. Most individual creeping bentgrass plants examined are lacking Crs-1. Some individuals are hemizygous for the Crs-1 locus, indicating major haplotype noncolinearity at that locus. Crs-1 was not detected in several other Agrostis species, indicating it is being lost from the genus. The Crs-1 locus in creeping bentgrass provides a rare example of the evolutionary process of gene loss occurring within a plant species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agrostis / genetics*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Biological Evolution*
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Plant*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Plant Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ016627