HpQTL: a geometric morphometric platform to compute the genetic architecture of heterophylly. (15th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Lidan; Wang, Jing; Zhu, Xuli; Jiang, Libo; Gosik, Kirk; Sang, Mengmeng; Sun, Fengsuo; Cheng, Tangren; Zhang, Qixiang; Wu, Rongling
• Is Part Of: Briefings in bioinformatics. Volume 19:Number 4(2018:Jul.)
• Page Start: 603
• Page End: 612
• Publication Date: 2017-02-15
• Subjects: heterophylly -- QTL -- leaf shape -- geometric morphometrics -- shape mapping -- woody plant; Genetics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Genomes -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 572.80285
• DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbx011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-5463

Abstract

Abstract: Heterophylly, i.e. morphological changes in leaves along the axis of an individual plant, is regarded as a strategy used by plants to cope with environmental change. However, little is known of the extent to which heterophylly is controlled by genes and how each underlying gene exerts its effect on heterophyllous variation. We described a geometric morphometric model that can quantify heterophylly in plants and further constructed an R-based computing platform by integrating this model into a genetic mapping and association setting. The platform, named Hp QTL, allows specific quantitative trait loci mediating heterophyllous variation to be mapped throughout the genome. The statistical properties of Hp QTL were examined and validated via computer simulation. Its biological relevance was demonstrated by results from a real data analysis of heterophylly in a wood plant, mei ( Prunus mume ). Hp QTL provides a powerful tool to analyze heterophylly and its underlying genetic architecture in a quantitative manner. It also contributes a new approach for genome-wide association studies aimed to dissect the programmed regulation of plant development and evolution.