ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 2835
Poster No. = 2284


HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER AND MUTATION: HISTORY OF Ngrol GENES IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE GENUS Nicotiana


Seishiro Aoki, Kunihiko Syono* & Motimi Ito Dept. Biol., Chiba Univ., Chiba 263-8522 Japan, *Fac. Sci., Japan Women's Univ., Tokyo 112-8681 Japan


Ngrol genes in Nicotiana glauca are similar to rol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Transformation with rol genes induces hairy root syndrome to plants. It is thought that Ngrol genes were transferred by the infection of Agrobacterium in the early evolution of the genus Nicotiana. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the history of horizontal gene transfer of Ngrol genes. Physiological and evolutionary analysis revealed that some of Ngrol genes may have conserved the functional sequence.They also showed that Ngrol genes did not contain the information required for root induction because it contained mutations. Molecular modification restored the capacity for rooting to Ngrol genes. Discussed is the effect of transfer of Ngrol genes on the phenotype of ancient plants.


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