Identification of new low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit genes in wheat

Molecular cloning and characterization of four novel LMW glutenin subunit genes from Aegilops longissima, Triticum dicoccoides and T. zhukovskyi

This paper reports cloning and characterisation of four novel low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (LMW-GS) genes (designated as TzLMW-m2, TzLMW-m1, TdLMW-m1 and AlLMW-m2) from the genomic DNA of Triticum dicoccoides, T. zhukovskyi and Aegilops longissima. The coding regions of TzLMW-m2, TzLMW-m1, TdLMW-m1 and AlLMW-m2 were 1056 bp, 903 bp, 1056 bp and 1050 bp in length, encoding 350, 300, 350 and 348 amino acid residues, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences showed that the four novel genes were classified as LMW-m types and the comparison results indicated that the four genes had a more similar structure and a higher level of homology with the LMW-m genes than the LMW-s and -i types genes. However, the first cysteine residue's positions of TzLMW-m2, TdLMW-m1 and AlLMW-m2 were different from the others. Moreover, AlLMW-m2, TdLMW-m1 and TzLMW-m2 all possessed a longer repetitive domain, which was considered to be associated with good quality of wheat. The secondary structure prediction revealed that the content of beta-strand in AlLMW-m2 and TdLMW-m1 exceeded the positive control, suggesting that AlLMW-m2 and TdLMW-m1 should be considered as candidate genes that may have positive effect on dough quality. In order to investigate the evolutionary relationship of the novel genes with the other LMW-GSs, a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The results lead to a speculation that AlLMW-m2, TdLMW-m1 and TzLMW-m2 may be the middle types during the evolution of LMW-m and LMW-s.

Molecular characterization and genomic organization of low molecular weight glutenin subunit genes at the Glu-3 loci in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In this study, we report on the molecular characterization and genomic organization of the low molecular weight glutenin subunit (LMW-GS) gene family in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Eighty-two positive BAC clones were identified to contain LMW-GS genes from the hexaploid wheat 'Glenlea' BAC library via filter hybridization and PCR validation. Twelve unique LMW glutenin genes and seven pseudogenes were isolated from these positive BAC clones by primer-template mismatch PCR and subsequent primer walking using hemi-nested touchdown PCR. These genes were sequenced and each consisted of a single-open reading frame (ORF) and untranslated 5' and 3' flanking regions. All 12 LMW glutenin subunits contained eight cysteine residues. The LMW-m-type subunits are the most abundant in hexaploid wheat. Of the 12 LMW-GS, 1, 2 and 9 are i-type, s-type and m-type, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that the LMW-i type gene showed greater differences to LMW-s and LMW-m-type genes, which, in turn, were more closely related to one another. On the basis of their N-terminal sequences, they were classified into nine groups. Fingerprinting of the 82 BAC clones indicated 30 BAC clones assembled into eight contigs, while the remaining clones were singletons. BAC end sequencing of the 82 clones revealed that long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons were abundant in the Glu-3 regions. The average physical distance between two adjacent LMW-GS genes was estimated to be 81 kb. Most of LMW-GS genes are located in the D: -genome, suggesting that the Glu-D3 locus is much larger than the Glu-B3 locus and Glu-A3 locus. Alignments of sequences indicated that the same type (starting with the same N-terminal sequence) LMW-GS genes were highly conserved in the homologous genomes between hexaploid wheat and its donors such as durum wheat and T. tauschii.

[Isolation and characterization of a low molecular weight glutenin gene from Taenitherum Nevski]

More and more low-molecular-weight glutenin(LMW glutenin) genes were isolated and characterized from hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, few homologous genes were obtained from its relative species, which limited our understanding of the relationships among them. Therefore, it is necessary to isolate LMW glutenin homologous genes from wheat wild relative species. Using a pair of specific oligonucleotide PCR primers for Taenitherum genomic DNA, a LMW glutenin gene sequence, with nucleotide sequence in 1 035 bp and deduced amino acid sequence with 343 amino acid residues, was obtained. This sequence was a typical LMW glutenin sequence and characterized by a signal peptide of 21 amino acid residues, a N-terminal conservative domain of 13 amino acid residues, a repetitive domain of short peptide, and a C-terminal conservative domain. Sequence alignment showed the main differences and the relationships between LMW glutenin genes from wheat and Taenitherum. The results presented here give a reference to isolate LMW glutenin gene from Taenitherum, as well as other wheat wild relatives.

Genetic evaluation of several physiological traits for screening of suitable spring safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes under stress and non-stress irrigation regimes

Seven cultivars and one line of spring safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) were used to estimate genetic variation, heritability, genetic gain and genetic factor analysis for several physiological traits. Each experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Factor loadings in first factor were used for determination of important physiological traits for suitable genotype screening under each irrigation regimes. Under non-stress conditions, factor analysis technique extracted six factors which exploited about 93% of the total genetic variation, while 30% of the total genetic variance was associated by the first factor. Under stress conditions factor analysis extracted four factors and they totally explained 100% of the total genetic variation, while, the first factor accounted for 38% of the total genetic variation. Ultimate, leaf area index (at stem-elongation and flowering), leaf osmotic potential (at stem-elongation) and rate of water loss from excised leaves (at flowering) under non-stress conditions and also leaf area index (at flowering and grain filling) and rate of water loss from excised leaves (at grain filling) under stress conditions were the best criteria for screening of suitable genotype under explicated conditions.

Expression analysis and physical mapping of low-molecular-weight glutenin loci in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Gliadins and glutenins are storage proteins important in determining the bread-, noodle-, and pasta-making quality of wheat. Glutenins consist of HMW and LMW subunits. The Glu-A3, Glu-B3, and Glu-D3 loci on the short arms of chromosomes 1A, 1B, and 1D, respectively, are the major loci for LMW glutenins. To construct physical maps of the Glu-3 loci, a set of 24 high-density filters representing a 3.1x genome coverage hexaploid wheat BAC library was screened by hybridization using a probe made of 3 LMW glutenin sequences. After 2 rounds of hybridization, a subset of 536 BAC clones were selected and fingerprinted. Three developing seed cDNA libraries were also constructed. A total of 5000-6000 ESTs were generated from each library, assembled into contigs and searched by homology for LMW glutenin sequences. In total, 90 full-length LMW glutenin sequences were found to cluster into 8 distinct groups representing at least 21 different LMW glutenin subunits. A set of 24 pairs of PCR primers was designed from these groups and used as markers on the BAC clones. The combined fingerprinting and marker data were used to build the physical maps using FPC software. A total of 91 contigs comprising 254 clones were obtained and 282 clones remained singletons.

Novel DNA variations to characterize low molecular weight glutenin Glu-D3 genes and develop STS markers in common wheat

Low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) play an important role in bread and noodle processing quality by influencing the viscoelasticity and extensibility of dough. The objectives of this study were to characterize Glu-D3 subunit coding genes and to develop molecular markers for identifying Glu-D3 gene haplotypes. Gene specific primer sets were designed to amplify eight wheat cultivars containing Glu-D3a, b, c, d and e alleles, defined traditionally by protein electrophoretic mobility. Three novel Glu-D3 DNA sequences, designated as GluD3-4, GluD3-5 and GluD3-6, were amplified from the eight wheat cultivars. GluD3-4 showed three allelic variants or haplotypes at the DNA level in the eight cultivars, which were designated as GluD3-41, GluD3-42 and GluD3-43. Compared with GluD3-42, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was detected for GluD3-43 in the coding region, resulting in a pseudo-gene with a nonsense mutation at the 119th position of deduced peptide, and a 3-bp insertion was found in the coding region of GluD3-41, leading to a glutamine insertion at the 249th position of its deduced protein. The coding regions for GluD3-5 and GluD3-6 showed no allelic variation in the eight cultivars tested, indicating that they were relatively conservative in common wheat. Based on the 12 allelic variants of three Glu-D3 genes identified in this study and three detected previously, seven STS markers were established to amplify the corresponding gene sequences in wheat cultivars containing five Glu-D3 alleles (a, b, c, d and e). The seven primer sets M2F12/M2R12, M2F2/M2R2, M2F3/M2R3, M3F1/M3R1, M3F2/M3R2, M4F1/M4R1 and M4F3/M4R3 were specific to the allelic variants GluD3-21/22, GluD3-22, GluD3-23, GluD3-31, GluD3-32, GluD3-41 and GluD3-43, respectively, which were validated by amplifying 20 Chinese wheat cultivars containing alleles a, b, c and f based on protein electrophoretic mobility. These markers will be useful to identify the Glu-D3 gene haplotypes in wheat breeding programs.

Characterization of three low-molecular-weight Glu-D3 subunit genes in common wheat

Low-molecular-weight glutenins (LMW-GS) in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are of great importance for processing quality of pan bread and noodles. The objectives of this study are to identify LMW-GS coding genes at GluD3 locus on chromosome 1D and to establish relationships between these genes and GluD3 alleles (a, b, c, d, and e) defined by protein electrophoretic mobility. Specific primer sets were designed to amplify each of the three LMW-GS chromosome 1D gene regions including upstream, coding and downstream regions of eight wheat cultivars containing GluD3 a, b, c, d and e alleles. Three LMW-GS genes, designated as GluD3-1, GluD3-2 and GluD3-3, were amplified from the eight wheat cultivars. The allelic variants of these three genes were analysed at the DNA and protein level. GluD3-1 showed two allelic variants or haplotypes, one common to cultivars containing protein alleles a, d and e (designated GluD3-11) and the other was present in cultivars with alleles b and c (designated GluD3-12). Comparing with GluD3-12, a 3-bp deletion was found in the coding region of the N-terminal repetitive domain of GluD3-11, leading to a glutamine deletion at the 116th position. GluD3-2 had three variants at the DNA level in the eight cultivars, which were designated as GluD3-21, GluD3-22 and GluD3-23. In comparison to GluD3-21, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was detected for GluD3-22 in the signal peptide region, resulting in an amino acid change from alanine to threonine at the 11th position; and 11 mutations were found at GluD3-23, with five in upstream region, four in coding region and two in downstream region, respectively. GluD3-3 had two haplotypes, designated as GluD3-31 and GluD3-32, both belonging to LMW-s glutenin subunits though their first amino acids in N-terminal region are different. Compared with the GenBank GluD3 genes, nucleotide sequences of GluD3-21 and GluD3-23 were the same as X13306 and AB062875, respectively. GluD3-22 and GluD3-11 had only one-base difference from U86027 and AB062865. GluD3-12 was not found in the GenBank database, indicating a newly identified GluD3 gene variation. GluD3-3 was a new gene different from any other known GluD3 genes. Analyses of the relationship between Glu-D3 alleles defined by protein electrophoretic mobility and different GluD3 gene variations at the DNA or protein level provided molecular basis for DNA based identification of glutenin alleles.

Analysis and validation of genome-specific DNA variations in 5' flanking conserved sequences of wheat low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit gene

The thirty-three 5' flanking conserved sequences of the known low-molecular-weight subunit (LMW-GS) genes have been divided into eight clusters, which was in agreement with the classification based on the deduced N-terminal protein sequences. The DNA polymorphism between the eight clusters was obtained by sequence alignment, and a total of 34 polymorphic positions were observed in the approximately 200 bp regions, among which 18 polymorphic positions were candidate SNPs. Seven cluster-specific primer sets were designed for seven out of eight clusters containing cluster-specific bases, with which the genomic DNA of the ditelosomic lines of group 1 chromosomes of a wheat variety 'Chinese Spring' was employed to carry out chromosome assignment. The subsequent cloning and DNA sequencing of PCR fragments validated the sequences specificity of the 5' flanking conserved sequences between LMW-GS gene groups in different genomes. These results suggested that the coding and 5' flanking regions of LMW-GS genes are likely to have evolved in concerted fashion. The seven primer sets developed in this study could be used to isolate the complete ORFs of seven groups of LMW-GS genes, respectively, and therefore possess great value for further research in the contributions of a single LMW-GS gene to wheat quality in the complex genetic background and the efficient selections of quality-related components in breeding programs.

Functional properties of a new low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit gene from a bread wheat cultivar

Some allelic forms of low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (LMW-GS) can greatly influence the end-use of wheat flours, understanding the function of each allele of LMW-GS is important to wheat quality breeding. A LMW-GS gene XYGluD3-LMWGS 1(AY263369) has been cloned from bread wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6. The deduced protein contained nine cystine residues, one more than that in all other LMW-GSs reported previously, indicating that it is either a new gene or a new allele of a known LMW-GS gene. In this study, the gene was expressed in E. coil in large scale for the testing of its functional property. Reactive Red 120-Agarose resin was used efficiently to purify the expressed LMW-GS proteins from bacteria, with the lactic acid-sodium lactate buffer (pH 4.5) which contained low concentration SDS as elution solution. The purified protein (belonging to the LMW-m family, MW about 35 KDa) was supplemented into a base flour, the results of 10 g dough mixing test indicated that incorporation of the LMW-GS increased the strength of the dough, with significant increases in mixing time (MT) and peak width (PW), and decrease in breakdown in resistance (RBD) compared with the control. In addition, the dough with incorporation of the LMW-GS had more glutenin macropolyeric protein than the control, suggesting that the LMW-GS participated in forming larger glutenin polymers, and greatly contributed to dough strength. The changes in mixing parameters and the amount of glutenin macropolyeric protein were related to the quantity of incorporating subunits.

Cloning and molecular characterization of three novel LMW-i glutenin subunit genes from cultivated einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.)

Three novel low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subunits from cultivated einkorn (Triticum monococcum L., A(m)A(m), 2n = 2x = 14) were characterized by SDS-PAGE and molecular weights determined by MALDI-TOF-MS. Their coding genes were amplified and cloned with designed AS-PCR primers, revealing three complete gene sequences. All comprised upstream, open reading frame (ORF), downstream and no introns were present. The deduced amino acid sequences showed that all three genes, named as LMW-M1, LMW-M3 and LMW-M5, respectively, belonged to the LMW-i type subunits with the predicted molecular weight between 38.5206 and 38.7028 kDa. They showed high similarity with other LMW-i type genes from hexaploid bread wheats, but also displayed unique features. Particularly, LMW-M5 subunit contained an extra cysteine residue in the C-terminus except for eight conserved cysteines, which resulted from a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the T-C transition, namely arginine --> cysteine substitution at position 242 from the N-terminal end. This is the first report that the LMW-i subunit contained nine cysteines residues that could result in a more highly cross-linked and more elastic glutenin suggesting that LMW-M5 gene may associates with good quality properties. In addition, a total of 25 SNPs and one insertions/deletions (InDels) were detected among three LMW-i genes, which could result in significant functional changes in polymer formation of gluten. It is anticipated that these SNPs could be used as reliable genetic markers during wheat quality improvement. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that LMW-i type genes apparently differed from LMW-m and LMW-s type genes and diverged early from the primitive LMW-GS gene family, at about 12.92 million years ago (MYA) while the differentiation of A(m) and A genomes was estimated at 3.98 MYA.

Development of primers specific for LMW-GS genes located on chromosome 1D and molecular characterization of a gene from Glu-D3 complex locus in bread wheat

Glutenins are multimeric aggregates of high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) subunits, which determine the quality in wheat. Development of locus-specific primers is an important step toward cloning specific LMW glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) by PCR method. Based on the publicly available, a pair of primer, namely primer 3 (5' TTGTAGAAACTGCCATCCTT 3') and primer 4 (5' GTCACCGCTGCAT CGACATA 3') was designed and verified to specific for LMW-GS genes located on chromosome 1D in this study. The LMW-GS gene located at the Glu-D3 locus in bread wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6 was cloned using this pair of primer. The clone designated as XYGluD3-LMWGS1 (AY263369), contains the endosperm-specific-expression promoter and the entire coding region. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the XYGluD3-LMWGS1 with other reported LMW-GS genes located at different Glu-3 loci showed the degree of identity among them ranged from 59.57% to 99.78%. The LMW-GS genes at the same locus showed more similar to each other than to the gene at different locus. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the XYGluD3-LMWGS1 with the sequences of 12 group LMW-GSs of wheat cultivar Norin 61 showed that the deduced amino acid sequence was nearly the same to LMW-GS group 10 (identity 99.67%). The deduced LMW-GS contains nine cystine residues, which contained one more cystine residue in the C-terminal conserved domain than previous reported. This was the first LMW-GS gene encoding for a LMW-GS with 9 cystine residues that has been discovered so far.

Characterization of low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit genes and their protein products in common wheats

To characterize the low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (LMW-GS), we developed specific PCR primer sets to distinguish 12 groups of LMW-GS genes of Norin 61 and to decide their loci with nullisomic-tetrasomic lines of Chinese Spring. Three, two, and ten groups were assigned to Glu-A3, Glu-B3, and Glu-D3 loci, respectively. To identify the proteins containing the corresponding amino acid sequences, we determined the N-terminal amino acid sequence of 12 spots of LMW-GSs of Norin 61 separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). The N-terminal sequences of the LMW-GS spots showed that 10 of 12 groups of LMW-GSs were expressed as protein products, which included LMW-i, LMW-m, and LMW-s types. Four spots were encoded by Glu-A3 (LMW-i). Three spots were encoded by Glu-B3 (LMW-m and LMW-s). Five spots were encoded by Glu-D3 (LMW-m and LMW-s). A minor spot of LMW-m seemed to be encoded by the same Glu-B3 gene as a major spot of LMW-s, but processed at a different site. Comparing among various cultivars, there were polymorphic and non-polymorphic LMW-GSs. Glu-A3 was highly polymorphic, i.e., the a, b, and c alleles showed one spot, the d allele showed four spots, and the e allele had no spot. Insignia used as one of the Glu-A3 null standard cultivars had a LMW-GS encoded by Glu-A3. We also found that Cheyenne had a new Glu-D3 allele. Classification of LMW-GS by a combination of PCR and 2DE will be useful to identify individual LMW-GSs and to study their contribution to flour quality.

Expression profile of two storage-protein gene families in hexaploid wheat revealed by large-scale analysis of expressed sequence tags

To discern expression patterns of individual storage-protein genes in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum cv Chinese Spring), we analyzed comprehensive expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of common wheat using a bioinformatics technique. The gene families for alpha/beta-gliadins and low molecular-weight glutenin subunit were selected from the EST database. The alignment of these genes enabled us to trace the single nucleotide polymorphism sites among both genes. The combinations of single nucleotide polymorphisms allowed us to assign haplotypes into their homoeologous chromosomes by allele-specific PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes showed that both storage-protein gene families rapidly diverged after differentiation of the three genomes (A, B, and D). Expression patterns of these genes were estimated based on the frequencies of ESTs. The storage-protein genes were expressed only during seed development stages. The alpha/beta-gliadin genes exhibited two distinct expression patterns during the course of seed maturation: early expression and late expression. Although the early expression genes among the alpha/beta-gliadin and low molecular-weight glutenin subunit genes showed similar expression patterns, and both genes from the D genome were preferentially expressed rather than those from the A or B genome, substantial expression of two early expression genes from the A genome was observed. The phylogenetic relationships of the genes and their expression patterns were not correlated. These lines of evidence suggest that expression of the two storage-protein genes is independently regulated, and that the alpha/beta-gliadin genes possess novel regulation systems in addition to the prolamin box.

Classification of wheat low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit genes and its chromosome assignment by developing LMW-GS group-specific primers

On the basis of sequence analysis, 69 known low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (LMW-GS) genes were experimentally classified into nine groups by the deduced amino acid sequence of the highly conserved N-terminal domain. To clarify the chromosomal locations of these groups, 11 specific primer sets were designed to carry out polymerase chain reactions (PCR) with the genomic DNA of group 1 ditelosomic lines of Chinese Spring, among which nine primer sets proved to be LMW-GS group-specific. Each group of LMW-GS genes was specifically assigned on a single chromosome arm and hence to a specific locus. Therefore, these results provided the possibility to predict the chromosome location of a new LMW-GS gene based on its deduced N-terminal sequence. The validity of the classification was confirmed by the amplifications in 27 diploid wheat and Aegilops accessions. The length polymorphisms of LMW-GS genes of groups 1 and 2, and groups 3 and 4.1 were detected in diploid A-genome and S-genome accessions, respectively. The diploid wheat and Aegilops species could be used as valuable resources of novel allele variations of LMW-GS gene in the improvement of wheat quality. The nine LMW-GS group-specific primer sets could be utilized to select specific allele variations of LMW-GS genes in the marker-assisted breeding.

Identification of a new class of recombinant prolamin genes in wheat

A novel storage protein gene with obvious wheat chimeric structure was isolated from an immature kernel-specific cDNA library prepared from the old Hungarian variety, Bánkúti 1201. This clone contains γ-gliadin sequences in the 5′ region and LMW-glutenin sequences on the 3′ end. A frameshift mutation was also introduced by the putative recombination event. Hence, the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region was transformed to a completely new polypeptide. Based on this finding, 7 additional recombinant prolamin genes of similar structure were isolated with specific PCR primers. The 8 chimeric clones seem to be derived from 4 individual γ-gliadin and 3 LMW-glutenin sequences. These genes show remarkable diversity in size, gliadin:glutenin ratio, frameshift mutations, and sulphur content. The putative functional characteristics of the chimeric polypeptides and problems related to the origin of the encoding genes are discussed.Key words: prolamin, chimeric genes, recombination, wheat cDNA library.

Cloning and molecular characterization of B-hordeins from Hordeum chilense (Roem. et Schult.)

One of the main limitations of cereal breeding is the lack of genetic variability within cultivated crops. Hordeum chilense is a wild relative of Hordeum vulgare, which has been successfully used in the synthesis of amphiploids by crossing with Triticum spp. Among the agronomic traits of these new amphiploids, the allelic variation in the endosperm storage proteins and their influence on breadmaking and malting quality are of special interest. B-hordeins are sulfur rich prolamins, which account for 70-80% of the total hordein fraction in barley. In this work, rapid amplification of cDNA ends by PCR (RACE-PCR) has been used for the cloning of the full-length open reading frame (ORF) of six sequences of B3-hordeins from two lines of H. chilense. Two consensus sequences of 813 and 822 bp for the H1 and H7 lines, respectively, were determined by alignment of all the sequences generated. Between both lines, differences involving single base changes, which could correspond to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), insertions and deletions were observed. Of these differences, only six out of the 13 within the ORF caused a change of amino acid. Two insertions/deletions of 9 and 12 bp were also observed between both lines. The derived amino acid sequences showed a similar structure to the B-hordeins from cultivated barley and other prolamins. The repetitive region is based on the repetition of the motif PQQPFPQQ. The copy number of the B3-hordeins was estimated as a minimum of nine and five copies for the H1 and H7 lines, respectively. The expression profile of the B-hordeins through the developing endosperm is also described in this work. This study of the storage proteins of H. chilense is a useful contribution to the knowledge of the genetic diversity available in wild relatives of cultivated barley. In addition, the origin of the different prolamins can be better understood with an in-depth knowledge of its wild equivalent.

LMW-GS genes in Agropyron elongatum and their potential value in wheat breeding

To study the usefulness of low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) of Agropyron elongatum (Host) Nevski to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) quality improvement, we characterized LMW-GS genes of A. elongatum. Nine LMW-GS genes of A. elongatum, which were named AeL1 to AeL9, were cloned by genomic PCR. After sequencing, we obtained complete open reading frames from AeL2 to AeL8 and partial genes of AeL1 and AeL9. All nine sequences are homoeologous to those of wheat and related grasses. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences with those of published LMW-GS suggests that the basic structures of all the subunits are very similar. However, except for AeL4 and AeL5, which contain the identical N-terminal sequence with LMW-m, other LMW-GS sequences separated from A. elongatum cannot be classified according to previous criteria for the three types: LMW-m (methionine), LMW-s (serine), and LMW-i (isoleucine), and then 12 groups. In addition, there are some characters in the LMW-GS sequences of A. elongatum: AeL2, AeL3, and AeL6 involve a Cys residue in the signal peptide respectively, which is absent in most of LMW-GS; AeL3, AeL6, AeL8, and AeL9 start their first Cys residues in the N-terminal repetitive domains, respectively; both AeL2 and AeL5 have nine Cys residues, with an extra Cys residue in the N-terminal repetitive domain and the repetitive and glutamine-rich domain; AeL2, AeL3, AeL6, and AeL9 comprise long repetitive domains. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that there is a relatively weak sequence identity between the LMW-GS genes from A. elongatum cloned in this study and those reported from other plants. Three LMW-GS sequences, AeL2, AeL3, and AeL6, are clustered to Glu-A3 from wheat than to those from other plants. The possible use of these genes in relation to the high quality of hybrid wheat is discussed.

Characterization of low-molecular-weight glutenin genes in Aegilops tauschii

This paper reports the characterization of the low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin gene family of Aegilops tauschii (syn. Triticum tauschii), the D-genome donor of hexaploid wheat. By analysis of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones positive for hybridization with an LMW glutenin probe, seven unique LMW glutenin genes were identified. These genes were sequenced, including their untranslated 3' and 5' flanking regions. The deduced amino acid sequences of the genes revealed four putative active genes and three pseudogenes. All these genes had a very high level of similarity to LMW glutenins characterized in hexaploid wheat. The predicted molecular weights of the mature proteins were between 32.2 kDa and 39.6 kDa, and the predicted isoelectric points of the proteins were between 7.53 and 8.06. All the deduced proteins were of the LMW-m type. The organization of the seven LMW glutenin genes appears to be interspersed over at least several hundred kilo base pairs, as indicated by the presence of only one gene or pseudogene per BAC clone. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA of Ae. tauschii and the BAC clones containing the seven LMW glutenin genes indicated that the BAC clones contained all LMW glutenin-hybridizing bands present in the genome. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of an LMW glutenin extract from Ae. tauschii was conducted and showed the presence of at least 11 distinct proteins. Further analysis indicated that some of the observed proteins were modified gliadins. These results suggest that the actual number of typical LMW glutenins may in fact be much lower than previously thought, with a number of modified gliadins also being present in the polymeric fraction.

Characterisation and marker development for low molecular weight glutenin genes from Glu-A3 alleles of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum. L)

PCR was used to amplify low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin genes from the Glu-A3 loci of hexaploid wheat cultivars containing different Glu-A3 alleles. The complete coding sequence of one LMW glutenin gene was obtained for each of the seven alleles Glu-A3a to Glu-A3g. Chromosome assignment of PCR products using Chinese Spring nulli-tetrasomic lines confirmed the amplified products were from chromosome 1A. All sequences were classified as LMW-i-type genes based on the presence of an N-terminal isoleucine residue and eight cysteine residues located within the C-terminal domain of the predicted, mature amino acid sequence. All genes contained a single uninterrupted open reading frame, including the sequence from the Glu-A3e allele, for which no protein product has been identified. Comparison of LMW glutenin gene sequences obtained from different alleles showed a wide range of sequence identity between the genes, with between 1 and 37 single nucleotide polymorphisms and between one and five insertion/deletion events between genes from different alleles. Allele-specific PCR markers were designed based on the DNA polymorphisms identified between the LMW glutenin genes, and these markers were validated against a panel of cultivars containing different Glu-A3 alleles. This collection of markers represents a valuable resource for use in marker-assisted breeding to select for specific alleles of this important quality-determining locus in bread wheat.