Genes expressed in the overwinter buds of Gentian (Gentiana spp.): Application to taxonomic, phylogenetic, and phylogeographical analyses

Abstract

Vegetative reproduction through overwinter buds is important for maintenance of parental strains with favorable phenotypes in the breeding of perennial Gentiana spp. This chapter focuses on the genes and proteins that are enriched in buds. W14/15 genes are some of the most abundantly expressed genes in these overwinter buds and encode a novel esterase. They are considered to be involved in stress tolerance and in hormone signaling/metabolism and/or defense systems. The highly polymorphic nature of these genes makes them a useful tool to analyze the phylogeny, taxonomy, phylogeography, and pedigree of Gentiana spp. In addition, W14/15 can be used as a specific phenotypic marker. The functional role of W14/15 in regulating some characters of overwinter buds and some practical uses of these genes are discussed in this review.