Summary
This 2025 narrative review in Trends in Genetics examines cis-regulatory dynamics as a molecular mechanism underlying phenotypic divergence in domesticated crops. Li and Schmitz synthesise evidence suggesting that mutations altering gene expression control—rather than protein sequences—frequently account for agronomic trait selection during domestication. The work positions transcriptional regulation as a primary driver of cultivar evolution from wild ancestors, with implications for understanding the genetic basis of crop improvement.
Regional applicability
The molecular mechanisms reviewed are universal across plant genomes and applicable to UK crop improvement programmes. However, the review's focus on fundamental genomic mechanisms rather than agronomic or nutritional outcomes limits direct applicability to UK farming practice or policy without further translation research on specific crops of commercial relevance.
Key measures
Comparative analysis of cis-regulatory variants and their effects on gene expression; phenotypic trait outcomes in domesticated versus wild crop ancestors; evidence synthesis on molecular mechanisms of domestication
Outcomes reported
This narrative review synthesises molecular evidence on how cis-regulatory mutations—alterations in DNA sequences controlling gene expression rather than protein-coding regions—have shaped phenotypic traits in domesticated crops during selective breeding. The paper examines the relative contribution of transcriptional regulation versus coding mutations to agronomic trait divergence.
Topic tags
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