Date of Award

9-2025

Degree Name

MS in Biological Sciences

Department/Program

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science and Mathematics

Advisor

Ed Himelblau

Advisor Department

Biological Sciences

Advisor College

College of Science and Mathematics

Abstract

For plants to survive in harsh conditions imposed by abiotic stressors, they must develop mechanisms of adaptation. One of the common types of adaptation seen in plants is the production of anthocyanin pigments, which have been shown to protect plants from UV radiation, metabolic stress, and drought. In this study, we used the flower color polymorphic species Leptosiphon parviflorus to investigate the role of anthocyanin pigments in protecting plants from abiotic stress. To accomplish this, RNA samples were taken from flower, leaf and root tissue of different flower color morphs of Leptosiphon parviflorus (Polemoniaceae) grown in high magnesium and water limitation conditions to mimic the stressors seen in their natural environments. Gene expression analysis was conducted through the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) performed on five genes relating to the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. Results show that anthocyanin biosynthesis genes are differentially expressed in the different flower color morphologies of L. parviflorus, with pigmented morphs having between 5 and 10 times higher absolute RNA concentration than non-pigmented morphs in flower, leaf and root tissue. Furthermore, expression is affected by soil treatment, with both high magnesium and low water stress generally increasing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes. These results ultimately provide understanding for the adaptation and evolution for plants to harsh soils, specifically the role that anthocyanin pigments play in the response to abiotic stressors in L. parviflorus.

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