level of photosynthesis in the somatic hybrids compared to
the parent lines. It is possible that the photosynthetic
phenotype is the result of a heterosis effect from the
hybridization; however, similar effects were seen in subsequent
generations, indicating that the effect may be the
result of specific gene interactions rather than a general and
transient epigenetic response.
The analysis of differential gene expression in somatic
hybrids
In the small scale cDNA–AFLP analysis, a total of 104
bands were recognized as differentially expressed from the
60 amplicons (Fig. 12), indicating that the expression
pattern of many genes was changed in the somatic hybrids
compared to the parent lines. A more detailed expression
analysis needs to be carried out in order to understand the
extent and significance of the gene expression changes