Evolution of Duplicated Pathways in Networks in Allopolyploid Cotton

Polyploid speciation is exceptionally common in plants, and often sets in motion a wide spectrum of genetic and genomic phenomena. The mechanistic underpinnings and evolutionary consequences of this remains mostly mysterious, although broad surveys have elucidation myriad patterns of genomic and expression evolution following allopolyploidization. Here, we explore the consequences of allopolyploid speciation on pathways and networks to further our understanding of the evolutionary response dynamics of genome doubling.  Using both the well-understood and relatively simple anthocyanin pathway, as well as the more nebulous and complex flowering-time network, we are beginning to detail the consequences involved with duplicating an entire pathway.  Furthermore, we explore these networks for coordinated responses among genes in the network, and we evaluate the effect gene network position and connectivity have on evolutionary constraints in a duplicated context.