#  New Publication - Single gene mutation in a plant MYB transcription factor causes a major shift in pollinator preference 

 





December 21, 2022

 

 

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 HUH Research Felllow Andrea Berardi is co-author on a new publication in *Current Biology*, "[Single gene mutation in a plant MYB transcription factor causes a major shift in pollinator preference](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.006)". The researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out a gene controlling UV pigments in Petunia, and demonstrated its significance in pollinator preference by performing trials with hawkmoths and two species of bees.

 Highlights

- *MYB-FL* mutation strongly reduces floral UV color but increases visible color
- The mutation reduces hawkmoth visitation but increases bee visitation
- Bees discriminate between mutants with small intraspecific differences in visible color
- Major shift in pollinator preference by a single mutation of large phenotypic effect

 Martina N. Lüthi, Andrea E. Berardi, Therese Mandel, Loreta B. Freitas, Cris Kuhlemeier. (2022) Single gene mutation in a plant MYB transcription factor causes a major shift in pollinator preference. Current Biology, Volume 32, Issue 24, Pages 5295-5308.e5. <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.006>.



 

 

 



 

 

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