Utilizing Transcriptomics to Determine the Genetic Basis of Allelopathic Exudates in Moss
(2024) BION03 20232Degree Projects in Biology
- Abstract
- The understanding of interspecific interactions is key to understanding the complexity, diversity, and evolution of land plants. Bryophytes, including mosses, are a diverse group of non-vascular plants that are especially important to study, as they are key parts of ecosystems, are chemically diverse, and have a gametophyte dominant life history. Genetic studies revolving around interspecific interactions are lacking across botany, due to the complexity of studying interspecific interactions. Few studies have also been done on the gene expression differences between the gametophyte and sporophyte in bryophytes. In this study, I developed a growth method to study interspecific interactions in moss that allows for the transfer of metabolites... (More)
- The understanding of interspecific interactions is key to understanding the complexity, diversity, and evolution of land plants. Bryophytes, including mosses, are a diverse group of non-vascular plants that are especially important to study, as they are key parts of ecosystems, are chemically diverse, and have a gametophyte dominant life history. Genetic studies revolving around interspecific interactions are lacking across botany, due to the complexity of studying interspecific interactions. Few studies have also been done on the gene expression differences between the gametophyte and sporophyte in bryophytes. In this study, I developed a growth method to study interspecific interactions in moss that allows for the transfer of metabolites and chemicals, while keeping the moss separate. I also analyzed the transcriptional differences between the gametophyte and sporophyte of Pogonatum aloides. My results suggest that more research needs to be done on RNA extraction of protonemal tissue, likely due to the presence of secondary metabolites. Assuming interspecific interactions are inducible, this method may be used to determine which genes are involved in allelopathy. Further, the genes that appeared to be most differently expressed in the sporophyte and gametophyte of P. aloides appear to be highly conserved genes in other land plants, suggesting they are key genes for growth and reproduction on land. These genes also may point to which genes have been important for the switch from a dominant haploid stage in non-vascular plants, to a dominant diploid stage in vascular plants. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Understanding how moss communicate through genetics
We’ve all seen moss growing on trees, in parks, in forests, maybe even in our own yards. Some people consider it to be a nuisance, as it can take over lawns. Have you ever wondered why moss seems to grow everywhere? Well, probably due to allelopathy. Allelopathy is a form of chemical communication, where plants say “you can grow here too!” or “this is my spot, leave!” Except instead of being diplomatic, they just send chemicals that limit or support the growth of the other plant. Botanists know that allelopathy has been important for ecosystems and land plant evolution, and recently the chemicals involved have been identified as a potentially important economic resource for farming... (More) - Understanding how moss communicate through genetics
We’ve all seen moss growing on trees, in parks, in forests, maybe even in our own yards. Some people consider it to be a nuisance, as it can take over lawns. Have you ever wondered why moss seems to grow everywhere? Well, probably due to allelopathy. Allelopathy is a form of chemical communication, where plants say “you can grow here too!” or “this is my spot, leave!” Except instead of being diplomatic, they just send chemicals that limit or support the growth of the other plant. Botanists know that allelopathy has been important for ecosystems and land plant evolution, and recently the chemicals involved have been identified as a potentially important economic resource for farming and pharmaceuticals. However, in order to understand allelopathy, it is important to study the genetics on how plants produce these chemicals. Because moss is small and easy to grow and sterilize, they provide a very important resource for studying allelopathy and its importance.
Researchers from Lund University worked to establish a method that is efficient in studying the genetics of allelopathy. Using a novel growth method, they were able to find a new way to study allelopathy in a closed system, preventing the influence of microbes such as bacteria and fungi. By growing the moss on fine nylon mesh, the researchers were able to isolate each individual and allow them to grow on top of each other without hybridizing. This proved to be an efficient method for furthering the study of allelopathy, because once the moss are grown in this way, RNA can be extracted and transcriptomics may be performed that allow us to understand the genes that are being expressed. This may also help researchers understand if allelopathy is inducible or if these chemicals are constantly being expressed, which is important to understand how to use allelopathic chemicals.
The researchers also identified the genetic differences between the sporophyte and gametophyte of moss, and found that the development of the sporophyte drastically impacts the gene expression of the sporophyte. A gene associated with allelopathy was also identified in the gametophyte, but not the sporophyte, meaning the gametophyte may synthesize most of the allelopathic chemicals.
Overall, these studies on moss indicate new important findings about genetic expression and moss growth. They provide an important basis for more complex studies. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9175897
- author
- Hayse, Eliza
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- BION03 20232
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 9175897
- date added to LUP
- 2024-10-03 08:15:56
- date last changed
- 2024-10-03 08:15:56
@misc{9175897,
abstract = {{The understanding of interspecific interactions is key to understanding the complexity, diversity, and evolution of land plants. Bryophytes, including mosses, are a diverse group of non-vascular plants that are especially important to study, as they are key parts of ecosystems, are chemically diverse, and have a gametophyte dominant life history. Genetic studies revolving around interspecific interactions are lacking across botany, due to the complexity of studying interspecific interactions. Few studies have also been done on the gene expression differences between the gametophyte and sporophyte in bryophytes. In this study, I developed a growth method to study interspecific interactions in moss that allows for the transfer of metabolites and chemicals, while keeping the moss separate. I also analyzed the transcriptional differences between the gametophyte and sporophyte of Pogonatum aloides. My results suggest that more research needs to be done on RNA extraction of protonemal tissue, likely due to the presence of secondary metabolites. Assuming interspecific interactions are inducible, this method may be used to determine which genes are involved in allelopathy. Further, the genes that appeared to be most differently expressed in the sporophyte and gametophyte of P. aloides appear to be highly conserved genes in other land plants, suggesting they are key genes for growth and reproduction on land. These genes also may point to which genes have been important for the switch from a dominant haploid stage in non-vascular plants, to a dominant diploid stage in vascular plants.}},
author = {{Hayse, Eliza}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Utilizing Transcriptomics to Determine the Genetic Basis of Allelopathic Exudates in Moss}},
year = {{2024}},
}