Genomic evolution in Orobanchaceae

Abstract

The broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) is an excellent model system for comparative evolutionary studies that focus on various genomic aspects associated with or being the result of the transition to heterotrophy. This chapter provides a family-wide summary of our current knowledge of the extraordinarily dynamic genomic evolution in Orobanchaceae. Several candidate genes that have been newly recruited in parasite-specific pathways have been identified by transcriptome sequencing. While little information is available on the evolution of mitochondrial genomes, studies of plastid genes and genomes of members of Orobanchaceae bring to light the first insights into the complex and differential patterns of reductive evolution of plastid chromosomes following the loss of photosynthesis. The chapter also discusses the need for large-scale transcriptome and genome sequencing to determine basic parasite-specific genetics and genome dynamics that may have potential for the development of novel strategies to control weedy Orobanchaceae.