Serological and genetical studies on the evolution of substrate specificity of flavone glycosyltransferase genes inSilene

Summary The variation in flavone glycosylation patterns inSilene is the result of the expression of six genetic loci, which control either the presence of allozymes differing in substrate specificity or isozymes regulated differently during development. Serological studies showed that at least three of these six loci are evolutionarily related. The genetic mechanisms leading to these complicated variation patterns and the role of this polymorphism for the plant in its interaction with the environment are discussed.