Research on the molecular mechanisms of the heterophylly of an aquatic plant Callitriche palustris

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15816
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 44030:Plant molecular biology and physiology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Hiroyuki Koga 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 助教 (30783865)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 水草 / ミズハコベ / 異形葉性 / 新規ゲノム解析 / アワゴケ属

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Plants often have the ability to produce various leaf shapes depending on their environment, which is called heterophylly. In particular, many aquatic plants can form leaves with significantly different shapes when grown on land or submerged in water. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the detailed molecular mechanisms of heterophylly and conducted research using the aquatic plant, Callitriche palustris (Plantaginaceae). We have analyzed the molecular mechanisms of this species, focusing on genomic and transcriptomic perspectives. We also established a transformation system for closely related species to improve the research infrastructure.

Free Research Field

進化発生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

水草の進化とそれに伴う異形葉性の進化は、様々な系統で独立に起こっており、多様な系統で異形葉性のメカニズムを明らかにすることで、収斂進化の背景にある生物進化の一般性や創造性の本質へアプローチできる。これまで、いくつかの系統の水草で異形葉性の分子メカニズムが調べられてきたが、本研究で、ミズハコベの異形葉性はそのいずれとも異なる性質があることがわかった。今回、ゲノムの解析基盤が整ったことによって、さらにゲノム科学的な観点から水草の可塑性の進化の仕組みを調べることが出来るようになった。