PROLAMIN AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES IN THE POACEAE .3. SUBFAMILY CHLORIDOIDEAE

Prolamin size variation and structural similarities were used as molecular characters to address questions pertaining to tribal structure and phylogenetic origin of the Chloridoideae. Prolamin polypeptides were resolved by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), and the immunological cross-reactivities were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and immunoblotting. Thirty-three species were examined from 24 genera belonging to six chloridoid tribes and three outgroup subfamilies (Arundinoideae, Panicoideae, and Pooideae). The study supports the inclusion of the Cynodonteae, Eragrosteae, and Sporoboleae under one tribe. Members of the Pappophoreae and Spartineae appeared as distinct lineages. The results suggest a strong evolutionary relationship between the Chloridoideae and Arundinoideae.