Developmental mechanisms of fruit diversification in angiosperms and the
evolutionary implications
Abstract
The evolutionary origin of fruits played a pivotal role in promoting the
dominance of angiosperms on the Earth. Fruits, derived from the
gynoecium after pollination and fertilization, protect and nourish seeds
and facilitate their dispersal through diverse mechanisms that are
adaptive in different environments. Therefore, understanding the
molecular networks underlying fruit development is a prerequisite for
elucidating evolutionary mechanisms shaping fruit diversification, and
particularly improving crop yield and quality of fruit in response to
the rapid climate change in modern agricultural systems. In this
article, we offer a comprehensive analysis of fruit classification,
emphasizing the intrinsic characteristics and their adaptive dispersal
strategies in specific environments. Based on the studies in the model
systems such as Arabidopsis thaliana (representing dry fruits)
and Solanum lycopersicum, tomato (representing fleshy fruits), we
highlight recent advances in identifying novel components of the
molecular networks involved in fruit development. We further discuss the
evolutionary mechanisms that contribute to fruit diversification in the
context of well-established phylogenetic frameworks, with examples from
the Brassicaceae and Solanaceae families. Intriguingly, the comparison
between studies in Brassicaceae and Solanaceae indicates the core
network underlying fruit development is largely conserved in evolution.
Finally, we highlight the unresolved questions associated with fruit
development and evolution. We propose the future research that
integrates multidisciplinary evidence could help to better understand
the mechanisms of fruit development and diversification, which
ultimately contribute to improve crop yield and quality in practice.