有花植物缘何雌雄异熟？“花柱卷曲”揭示百年谜题

Core Insights - The research identifies a key gene controlling the "style curling" trait in flowering plants, elucidating the molecular mechanism behind the phenomenon of dichogamy, which helps avoid self-pollination and promotes cross-pollination, thereby maintaining genetic diversity [1][8] Group 1: Research Findings - The study reveals that the "style curling" trait in the Zingiberaceae family follows Mendelian inheritance, with two flower types coexisting in a 1:1 ratio: one with the pistil maturing first and the other with the stamen maturing first [3][5] - The research team confirmed that the "style curling" trait is controlled by a single gene locus, with the pistil-maturing trait being dominant and the stamen-maturing trait being recessive [5][7] - The gene responsible for regulating the rhythmic development of sexual organs was identified as SMPED1, which is highly conserved across flowering plants and plays a crucial role in synchronizing flower movement and anther dehiscence [7][8] Group 2: Implications for Agriculture - The findings provide new insights into the evolutionary origins and maintenance mechanisms of dichogamy in angiosperms, highlighting the role of transposons in genomic structural variation and regulatory remodeling [8] - This research offers potential targets for crop breeding improvements, as understanding the genetic basis of flowering traits can lead to enhanced agricultural practices [1][8]