POPOVICH, encoding a C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factor, plays a central role in the development of a key innovation, floral nectar spurs, inAquilegia

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006912117
• Publication Date: 2020-08-27T00:05:13Z
• Authors: Evangeline S. Bal...; Ya Min; Molly B. Edwards; Elena M. Kramer; Scott A. Hodges
• Keywords: Petal; Lineage (genetic); Evolutionary developmental biology

Significance Throughout evolutionary history, organisms have evolved features that allow them to interact with their environment in novel ways. When such lead increased rates of speciation a lineage, we call key innovations. Understanding the genetic and developmental changes involved origin innovations is particular interest. Here identify gene, POPOVICH , crucial development innovation, floral nectar spurs, columbine genus Aquilegia . While function orthologs other plant taxa suggests an ancestral lineage leaf development, also functions promote cell division petals, cellular step spurs genus.