Gene expression rewiring often contributes to phenotypic evolution between newly diverged species. Changes in gene expression patterns can be caused by mutations in either cis-regulatory regions (promoter) of the gene itself or trans-acting regulatory genes (transcription factors). However, the effects of cis-and trans-regulatory variants at the whole genome level of gene expression leading to phenotypic differentiation in floral organs during the closely related newly diverged species are not very clear.
Click here for original story, Cis-and trans-regulatory variants affect flower color differentiation between lotus species
Source: Phys.org