Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30223774›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2018

Molecular genetic and biochemical evidence for adaptive evolution of leaf abaxial epicuticular wax crystals in the genus Lithocarpus (Fagaceae).

Chih-Kai Yang, Bing-Hong Huang, Shao-Wei Ho, Meng-Yuan Huang, Jenn-Che Wang, Jian Gao, Pei-Chun Liao

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC plant biology, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 24% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 10 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Mutations in BrMYB31 lead to a glossy phenotype caused by a deficiency in epidermal wax crystals in Chinese cabbage.TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik · 2025
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Chih-Kai YangSchool of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Postal address: No. 88, Tingchow Rd. Sect. 4, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
Bing-Hong HuangSchool of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Postal address: No. 88, Tingchow Rd. Sect. 4, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
Shao-Wei HoSchool of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Postal address: No. 88, Tingchow Rd. Sect. 4, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
Meng-Yuan HuangDepartment of Horticulture and Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, 11119, Taiwan.
Jenn-Che WangSchool of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Postal address: No. 88, Tingchow Rd. Sect. 4, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
Jian GaoFaculty of Resources and Environment, Baotou Teachers' College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia, 014010, China.
Pei-Chun LiaoSchool of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Postal address: No. 88, Tingchow Rd. Sect. 4, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan. pcliao@ntnu.edu.tw.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1733-5504
National Taiwan Normal University · TWChinese Culture University · TWInner Mongolia University of Science and Technology · CN

Funding

Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan MOST 105-2628-B-003 -002 -MY3
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLeaf epicuticular wax is an important functional trait for physiological regulation and pathogen defense. This study tests how selective pressure may have forced the trait of leaf abaxial epicuticular wax crystals (LAEWC) and whether the presence/absence of LAEWC is associated with other ecophysiological traits. Scanning Electron Microscopy was conducted to check for LAEWC in different Lithocarpus species. Four wax biosynthesis related genes, including two wax backbone genes ECERIFERUM 1 (CER1) and CER3, one regulatory gene CER7 and one transport gene CER5, were cloned and sequenced. Ecophysiological measurements of secondary metabolites, photosynthesis, water usage efficiency, and nutrition indices were also determined. Evolutionary hypotheses of leaf wax character transition associated with the evolution of those ecophysiological traits as well as species evolution were tested by maximum likelihood.

resultsEight of 14 studied Lithocarpus species have obvious LAEWC appearing with various types of trichomes. Measurements of ecophysiological traits show no direct correlations with the presence/absence of LAEWC. However, the content of phenolic acids is significantly associated with the gene evolution of the wax biosynthetic backbone gene CER1, which was detected to be positively selected when LAEWC was gained during the late-Miocene-to-Pliocene period.

conclusionsChanges of landmass and vegetation type accelerated the diversification of tropical and subtropical forest trees and certain herbivores during the late Miocene. As phenolic acids were long thought to be associated with defense against herbivories, co-occurrence of LAEWC and phenolic acids may suggest that LAEWC might be an adaptive defensive mechanism in Lithocarpus.

Indexed as

Adaptation, BiologicalEvolution, MolecularFagaceaeHydroxybenzoatesMicroscopy, Electron, ScanningPhylogenyPlant LeavesPlant ProteinsSecondary MetabolismSelection, GeneticWaxesHydroxybenzoatesphenolic acidPlant ProteinsWaxesAdaptive evolutionChemical defensesLeaf epicuticular waxLithocarpusPhylogenetic signalPhysical defenses

Identifiers

PMID30223774
PMCPMC6142356
OpenAlexW2891013931

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.