Distyly is a genetically controlled flower polymorphism that has intrigued both botanists and evolutionary biologists ever since Darwin’s time. Despite extensive reports on the pollination and evolution of distylous systems, the genetic basis and mechanism of molecular regulation remain unclear. In the present study, comparative transcriptome profiling was conducted in primrose (Primula oreodoxa), the prime research model for heterostyly. Thirty-six transcriptomes were sequenced for styles at different stages and corolla tube in the three morphs of P. oreodoxa. Large numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the transcriptomes of styles across different morphs. Several transcription factors (TFs) and phytohormone metabolism-related genes were highlighted in S-morphs. A growing number of genes showed differential expression patterns along with the development of styles, suggesting that the genetic control of distyly may be more complicated than ever expected. Analysis of co-expression networks and module-trait relationships identified modules significantly associated with style development. CYP734A50, a key S-locus gene whose products degrade brassinosteroids, was co-expressed with many genes in the module and showed significant negative association with style length. In addition, crucial TFs involved in phytohormone signaling pathways were found to be connected with CYP734A50 in the co-expression module. Our global transcriptomic analysis has identified DEGs that are potentially involved in regulation of style length in P. oreodoxa, and may shed light on the evolution and broad biological processes of heterostyly.

中文翻译：

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Primula oreodoxa distyly发育的全球转录组和基因共表达网络分析

Distyly 是一种基因控制的花多态性，自达尔文时代以来就引起了植物学家和进化生物学家的兴趣。尽管有大量关于双叶系统授粉和进化的报道，但分子调控的遗传基础和机制仍不清楚。在本研究中，比较转录组分析是在报春花（Primula oreodoxa）中进行的，这是异源的主要研究模型。对 36 个转录组进行了不同阶段的样式和 P. oreodoxa 三种形态的花冠管的测序。在不同形态的样式的转录组中检测到大量差异表达基因 (DEG)。S-morphs 中突出显示了几种转录因子 (TF) 和植物激素代谢相关基因。随着风格的发展，越来越多的基因显示出差异表达模式，这表明 distyly 的遗传控制可能比预期的更复杂。对共表达网络和模块-特征关系的分析确定了与风格发展显着相关的模块。CYP734A50 是一个关键的 S 位点基因，其产物可降解油菜素内酯，与模块中的许多基因共表达，并与花柱长度显着负相关。此外，发现参与植物激素信号通路的关键 TF 与共表达模块中的 CYP734A50 相关。我们的全球转录组学分析已经确定了可能参与 P. oreodoxa 风格长度调节的 DEG，