Evolution of plant genome architecture. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wendel, Jonathan; Jackson, Scott; Meyers, Blake; Wing, Rod
• Is Part Of: Genome biology. Volume 17:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Genomes -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; 572.8633
• DOI: 10.1186/s13059-016-0908-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-760X

Abstract

Abstract We have witnessed an explosion in our understanding of the evolution and structure of plant genomes in recent years. Here, we highlight three important emergent realizations: (1) that the evolutionary history ofall plant genomes contains multiple, cyclical episodes of whole-genome doubling that were followed by myriad fractionation processes; (2) that the vast majority of the variation in genome size reflects the dynamics of proliferation and loss of lineage-specific transposable elements; and (3) that various classes of small RNAs help shape genomic architecture and function. We illustrate ways in which understanding these organism-level and molecular genetic processes can be used for crop plant improvement.