Transcriptome sequencing of Populus parents/hybrid genotypes

Retrotransposons dynamics in Populus deltoides, P. nigra and in their interspecific hybrid were investigated by analysing the expression levels of a dataset of LTR elements. We detected a general low expression of the elements for the three genotypes, nevertheless 14 LTR resulted over and under expressed in the hybrid if compared to parents. We conclude that interspecific hybridisation could determine expression of some retrotransposons, with possible consequences for the genetic differentiation of the hybrid.