Identification of differentially expressed transcripts associated to apomixis in B r a c h ia r ia using cDNA microarrays

Apomixis is a trait which allows flowering plants to produce seeds by asexual ways. Molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon are poorly understood. We used cDNA microrrays coupled to substractive libraries to find genes related to apomixis in Brachiaria. Genes related to meiosis and cell division, and some putative transcription factors, were overexpressed in sexual plants. It may indicate that apomixis could be caused by downregulation of these genes.