AUTHOR=Zhang Xianzhi , Pan Linsi , Guo Wei , Li Yongquan , Wang Wencai 

TITLE=A convergent mechanism of sex determination in dioecious plants: Distinct sex-determining genes display converged regulation on floral B-class genes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.953445

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.953445

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=Sex determination of dioecious plants have been broadly and progressively studied with the blooming of genome sequencing and editing techniques. This renders us a great opportunity to explore the evolution and genetic mechanisms underlining the sex determining system in dioecious plants. Here in this work, according to comprehensively reviewing advances of sex-chromosomes, sex-determining genes and floral MADS-box genes in dioecious plants, we proposed a convergent model that governs plant dioecy across divergent species. In this model, a cascade regulation pathway connecting sex-determining genes and MADS-box genes e.g. B-class genes in particular, was proposed. It is believable that this convergent mechanism of sex determination in dioecious plants will shed light on our understanding of genetic regulation and evolution of plant dioecy. Perspectives especially concerning the evolutionary pathway of plant dioecy were also suggested.