AUTHOR=Pietsch Jessica , Deneer Anna , Fleck Christian , Hülskamp Martin 

TITLE=Comparative expression analysis in three Brassicaceae species revealed compensatory changes of the underlying gene regulatory network

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1086004

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.1086004

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=Although the gene regulatory network underlying trichome patterning involves more than 15
genes, it is possible to explain patterning with only five components, which raises questions
about the relevance of the components and their function in addition to the established core
gene subnetwork. Here, we address this question by comparing the relative expression of all
patterning genes in three related species. As the involved proteins exhibit differential complex
formation, which is assumed to be a conserved regulatory mechanism, we reasoned that those
genes belonging to the core network should exhibit similar expression ratios in different species.
In this study, we used this as a criterion to assess the relative importance of the patterning genes.
We find several striking differences and analyse these in closer detail through a mathematical
modelling approach, thus providing predictions on possible mechanisms of adaptation.