α-Amylase and β-amylase homoeoloci in species related to wheat

Identification of a second locus encoding β-amylase on chromosome 2 of barley

A barley endosperm cDNA clone was used to study the polymorphism and chromosomal location of β-amylase genes in barley. Analysis of DNA from seven cultivars digested with three restriction endonucleases showed two types of pattern, one present in Sultan and the other in the remaining six cultivars. A copy-number reconstruction indicated the presence of about three gene copies per haploid genome. Analysis of the six available whole chromosome addition lines and selected telocentric chromosome additions of barley into wheat showed the location of genes on the short arm of chromosome 2 (probably one copy) and the long arm of chromosome 4 (probably two copies).

An assessment of the homoeology of six Agropyron intermedium chromosomes added to wheat

Six wheat/Agropyron intermedium addition lines are described on the basis of their phenotype and biochemical markers. An assessment of homoeology of each addition chromosome is made. Chromosome morphology, plant phenotype, isozyme and protein studies are compared with similar data for other wheat/alien addition lines and other members of the Triticeae. These comparisons give consistent results and it is concluded that addition lines L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L7 carry Agropyron chromosomes of homoeologous groups 7, 3, 1, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. This agrees with previously published work with one exception: the L5 chromosome belongs to homoeologous group 5 and not group 2 as proposed by Figueiras et al. (1986).

Single nucleotide polymorphic marker enabling rapid and early screening for the homoeolocus of beta-amylase-R1: a gene linked to copper efficiency on 5RL

This study describes the development of a PCR marker to detect the beta-amylase-R1 gene of rye. It provides an easy and rapid means for the identification of plants containing the beta-amylase-R1. Because rye chromosome segments do not normally recombine with wheat chromosomes, this marker provides a means for tracking all linked genes on that alien 5RL chromosome segment. Reaction conditions were optimised for an annealing temperature of 60 degrees C for a high stringency. The reaction was also optimised for low reaction volumes reducing the cost of the reagents required for the reaction. This PCR test can be used in breeding or mapping programs for the rapid screening of progeny containing translocations of 5RL and hence select for the copper efficiency trait of rye.

Characterization of genomes and chromosomes in partial amphiploids of the hybrid Triticum aestivum × Thinopyrum ponticum by in situ hybridization, isozyme analysis, and RAPD

Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and Southern hybridization of genome-specific RAPD markers were used to demonstrate that the E genome (including Ee and Eb from Thinopyrum elongatum and Thinopyrum bessarabicum, respectively) and the St genome (from Pseudoroegneria species) were the two basic genomes in Thinopyrum ponticum. GISH also revealed that the centromeric region may be the critical area that discriminates the St genome from the E genome in Th. ponticum. Of the seven partial amphiploids isolated from backcrossed progenies of Triticum aestivum × Thinopyrum ponticum hybrids, two (lines 693 and 7631) have eight pairs of chromosomes from the Ee and (or) Eb genomes. Four partial amphiploids (lines 784, 68, 7430, and 40767-1) have an incomplete St genome, i.e., six pairs of chromosomes of St and one pair of chromosomes from Ee or Eb. In a heptaploid individual of the partial amphiploid 40767-2, there were four pairs of St chromosomes, one pair of St/1B Robertsonian translocation chromosomes, one pair of St/E translocation chromosomes, and one pair of Ee or Eb chromosomes. The isoelectric focusing of Est-5, Est-4, β-Amy-1, α-Amy-1, and α-Amy-2 and the RAPD data generated with 24 decamer primers on five partial amphiploids (lines 784, 693, 7631, 68, and 7430) indicated that lines 693 and 7631 had identical genomes from Th. ponticum. The partial amphiploid 784 probably had a set of chromosomes completely different from those of 693 and 7631. These results indicate that genome recombination usually occurred during the formation of new polyploid lines. Key words : Thinopyrum ponticum, wheat, partial amphiploid, GISH, isozyme, RAPD.

Genetic mapping of genes for twelve nuclear-encoded polypeptides associated with the thylakoid membranes in Beta vulgaris L

Thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts are composed of approx. 75 polypeptide species. Nearly 60% originate in nuclear genes, the remainder in plastid genes. In order to localize representatives of the nuclear-encoded gene complement in a eukaryotic plant genome (sugar beet, Beta vulgaris L.), we have investigated the RFLP patterns of 21 cDNAs from spinach that code for thylakoid proteins or proteins peripherally associated with thylakoid membranes. Differences in gene dosage were noted between both related species. Polymorphism was found for 12 cDNA loci in a segregating sugar beet F2 population. These loci were mapped along with genomic RFLP, isozyme, and morphological markers, and shown to be distributed in six of the nine sugar beet linkage groups. The lack of positional clustering even of genes that encode components of the same supramolecular membrane assembly is commensurate with phylogenetically independent gene translocations from the plastid (endosymbiont), and raises the question of the functional integration of various translocated genes into common signal transduction chains.

RFLP mapping of the vernalization (Vrn1) and frost resistance (Fr1) genes on chromosome 5A of wheat

A population of single chromosome recombinant lines was developed from the cross between a frost-sensitive, vernalization-insensitive substitution line, 'Chinese Spring' (Triticum spelta 5A) and a frost-tolerant, vernalization-sensitive line, 'Chinese Spring' ('Cheyenne' 5A), and used to map the genes Vrn1 and Fr1 controlling vernalization requirement and frost tolerance, respectively, relative to RFLP markers located on this chromosome. The Vrn1 and Fr1 loci were located closely linked on the distal portion of the long arm of 5AL, but contrary to previous observations, recombination between them was found. Three RFLP markers, Xpsr426, Xcdo504 and Xwg644 were tightly linked to both. The location of Vrn1 suggests that it is homoeologous to other spring habit genes in related species, particularly the Sh2 locus on chromosome 7 (5H) of barley and the Sp1 locus on chromosome 5R of rye.

Biochemical and molecular diagnostics of Thinopyrum bessarabicum chromosomes in Triticum aestivum germ plasm

Thinopyrum bessarabicum (2n=2x=14, JJ) is a self-fertile salt-tolerant grass species, and its hybridization with Triticum aestivum to achieve the transfer of this attributes has been promoted. For the detection of alien introgression, development of diagnostic markers of Th. bessarabicum chromosomes in the wheat background has emerged as an important aspect in our intergeneric hybridization program. Six proteins/isozymes-high-molecular-weight glutenins, superoxide dismutase, grain esterase, β-amylase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and α-amylase -were identified as positive markers for detecting the presence of Th. bessarabicum chromosomes in the advanced backcross derivatives of T. aestivum/Th. bessarabicum//n(*) T. aestivum. Fluorescent in situ hybridization further enabled the detection of complete and translocated arms of Th. bessarabicum chromosomes in the T. aestivum background. These diagnostic markers served for tentatively characterizing a distinct set of Th. bessarabicum disomic additions to wheat (2n=44) and have facilitated establishing the homoeology of these added chromosomes.

Chromosome assignment of four photosynthesis-related genes and their variability in wheat species

Copy numbers of four photosynthesis-related genes, PhyA, Ppc, RbcS and Lhcb1 (*)1, in wheat genomes were estimated by slot-blot analysis, and these genes were assigned to the chromosome arms of common wheat by Southern hybridization of DNA from an aneuploid series of the cultivar Chinese Spring. The copy number of PhyA was estimated to be one locus per haploid genome, and this gene was assigned to chromosomes 4AL, 4BS and 4DS. The Ppc gene showed a low copy number of small multigenes, and was located on the short arm of homoeologous group 3 chromosomes and the long arm of chromosomes of homoeologous group 7. RbcS consisted of a multigene family, with approximately 100 copies in the common wheat genome, and was located on the short arm of group 2 chromosomes and the long arm of group 5 chromosomes. Lhcb1 (*)1 also consisted of a multigene family with about 50 copies in common wheat. Only a limited number of restriction fragments (approximately 15%) were used to determine the locations of members of this family on the long arm of group 1 chromosomes owing to the multiplicity of DNA bands. The variability of hybridized bands with the four genes was less in polyploids, but was more in the case of multigene families. RFLP analysis of polyploid wheats and their presumed ancestors was carried out with probes of the oat PhyA gene, the maize Ppc gene, the wheat RbcS gene and the wheat Lhcb1 (*)1 gene. The RFLP patterns of common wheat most closely resembled those of T. Dicoccum (Emmer wheat), T. urartu (A genome), Ae. speltoides (S genome) and Ae. squarrosa (D genome). Diversification of genes in the wheat complex appear to have occurred mainly at the diploid level. Based on RFLP patterns, B and S genomes were clustered into two major groups. The fragment numbers per genome were reduced in proportion to the increase of ploidy level for all four genes, suggesting that some mechanism(s) might operate to restrict, and so keep to a minimum, the gene numbers in the polyploid genomes. However, the RbcS genes, located on 2BS, were more conserved (double dosage), indicating that the above mechanism(s) does not operate equally on individual genes.

The genetic characterisation of novel multi-addition doubled haploid lines derived from triticale x wheat hybrids

Two novel 46-chromosome doubled haploid lines, W66 and M17, derived from separate hexaploid triticale x bread wheat crosses, were characterised using cytological and biochemical markers. Both lines were shown to be relatively stable cytologically, over 11 and 8 generations of selfing, respectively. By examining mitotic and meiotic chromosomes, the stabilities of the two lines were shown to be similar with frequencies of 2n=46 in 74.2-85.5% of cells. However, over selfed generations, the rye chromosomes were shown to have lost some of their heterochromatin, which made it difficult to establish their continued presence using cytological techniques, such as C-banding alone. Cytological evidence from pairing studies, C-banding, and fluorescence in-situ hybridization, showed that both M17 and W66 are wheat/rye multi-addition lines with rye chromosome constitutions of 1R+6R, and 1R+4R, respectively. These conclusions were confirmed by isozyme and storage-protein analysis.

RFLP mapping of genes affecting plant height and growth habit in rye

RFLP mapping of chromosome 5R in the F3 generation of a rye (Secale cereale L.) cross segregating for gibberellic acid (GA3)-insensitive dwarfness (Ct2/ct2) and spring growth habit (Sp1/sp1) identified RFLP loci close to each of these agronomically important genes. The level of RFLP in the segregating population was high, and thus allowed more than half of the RFLP loci to be mapped, despite partial homozygosity in the parental F2 plant. Eight further loci were mapped in an unrelated F2 rye population, and a further two were placed by inference from equivalent genetic maps of related wheat chromosomes, allowing a consensus map of rye chromosome 5R, consisting of 29 points and spanning 129 cM, to be constructed. The location of the ct2 dwarfing gene was shown to be separated from the segment of the primitive 4RL translocated to 5RL, and thus the gene is probably genetically unrelated to the major GA-insensitive Rht genes of wheat located on chromosome arms 4BS and 4DS. The map position of Sp1 is consistent both with those of wheat Vrn1 and Vrn3, present on chromosome arms 5AL and 5DL, respectively, and with barley Sh2 which is distally located on chromosome arm 7L (= 5HL).

Genetic polymorphisms of α- and β-amylase isozymes in wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, in Israel

α- and β-amylase isozyme diversity was studied electrophoretically by thin-layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectrofocusing in the tetraploid wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, the progenitor of all cultivated wheats. We analyzed 225 plants from 23 populations encompassing the ecological spectrum of T. dicoccoides in Israel. The results were as follows: (a) Band and multilocus genotype polymorphisms abound and vary within and between the four amylase components: malt, green (α-amylases), and dry and germinating seeds (β-amylases). (b) The number of bands of malt, green, and dry and germinating seeds were 20, 6, 11 and 13, respectively, generating 40, 6, 51, and 51 patterns or multilocus genotypes (MGP), respectively. The MGPs vary drastically within and between populations, from monomorphic in some populations with a single pattern to highly polymorphic ones, (c) Mean H e values for malt, green, and germinating and dry seeds are 0.053, 0.055, 0.088, and 0.077, respectively; mean number of bands per individual was 11.8, 4.4, 7.6, and 4.0, respectively, (d) The percentages of 50 bands and 148 multilocus genotype patterns (MGP) (in parenthesis) were classified into widespread, sporadic, and localized: 84.4 (10.8), 8.9 (12.2), 6.7 (77.0), respectively. Notably, 89.2% of the patterns were not widespread, but sporadic and localized, (e) The mean value of genetic distances among populations (Nei's D) for the four amylase groups is D = 0.136, 0.175, 0.288 and 0.307, respectively, not displaying geographical correlates. (f) Most of the α- and β-amylase diversity is between populations (G st = 68-75%). (g) Significant environmental correlates occur between either bands or patterns and climatic diversity (water and primarily temperature factors). (h) Significant associations of multilocus amylase bands occur across Israel. Like-wise, significant gametic phase disequilibria, D, occur within populations and are positively correlated with climatic variables, primarily that of temperature, (i) Discriminant analyses correctly classified (95-100%) the 23 wild emmer populations into their ecogeographical region and soil type. (j) Autocorrelation analysis showed that there is no correlation between bands and geographic distance and excluded migration as a major factor of amylase differentiation.These results suggest that diversifying climatic and edaphic natural selection rather than stochastisity or migration is the major evolutionary force driving amylase differentiation at both the single and multilocus levels. Furthermore, wild emmer harbors high levels of α- and β-amylase diversity both as single bands and as multilocus adaptive genetic patterns. These are exploitable both as genetic markers for quantitative loci (QTLs) and as adaptive genetic resources to improve wheat germination and growth through classical breeding and/or biotechnology.

α-Amylase structural genes in rye

Rye α-Amy1, α-Amy2, and α-Amy3 genes were studied in the cross between inbred lines using wheat α-amylase cDNA probes. The α-Amy1 and α-Amy2 probes uncovered considerable restriction fragment length polymorphism, whereas the α-Amy3 region was much more conserved. The numbers of restriction fragments found and the F2 segregation data suggest that there are three α-Amy1 genes, two or three α-Amy2 genes, and three α-Amy3 genes in rye. These conclusions were supported by a simultaneous study of α-amylase isozyme polymorphism. The F2 data showed the three individual α-Amy1 genes to span a distance of 3cM at the locus on chromosome 6RL. The genes were mapped relative to other RFLP markers on 6RL. On chromosome 7RL two α-Amy2 genes were shown to be separated by 5 cM. Linkage data within α-Amy3 on 5RL were not obtained since RFLP could be detected at only one of the genes.

Water-soluble proteins of mature barley endosperm: genetic control, polymorphism, and linkage with β-amylase and spring/winter habit

Water-soluble proteins (WSP-2 and WSP-3) and β-amylase (β-AMY-1) were extracted from mature endosperms of 44 spring and 39 winter barley genotypes. The protein and enzyme isoforms were separated in isoelectric focusing gels with a pH gradient of 4-6.5. The Wsp-3 and β-Amy-1 loci were located to chromosomes 4H using the wheat/barley chromosome addition lines. Segregation analysis of F2 and doubled haploid populations showed Wsp-2 and β-Amy-1 to be tightly linked, with a map distance of 11 cMorgans. Isoforms of WSP-2 possessed similar pIs to that of WSP-3 and overlapping bands were observed in the gels. These bands segregated independently in F2 and doubled haploid populations, implying two unlinked genes. All three loci were found to be polymorphic: two alleles were detected at the Wsp-2 locus, three at Wsp-3 and two at β-Amy-1. The frequency of alleles at all three loci was found to be different in winter and spring genotypes. Spring genotypes possessed a wider range of phenotypes than winter genotypes. Spring and winter genotypes could be distinguished on the basis of WSP-3 and β- AMY-1 phenotypes. The linkage between Wsp-3 and β-Amy-1 loci and genes controlling spring/winter habit on chromosome 4H is discussed. It is concluded that Wsp-3 and β-Amy-1 can be used as genetic markers for spring/winter habit in barley genetic research and breeding.

Determination of the transmission frequency of chromosome 4S (l) of Aegilops sharonensis in a range of wheat genetic backgrounds

The transmission of chromosome 4S (l) from Aegilops sharonensis was observed in a range of wheat genetic backgrounds. Chromosome 4S (l) was transmitted at a very high frequency (at least 97.8%) in all crosses. The genetic background appears to only have a small effect on transmission. The frequency of transmission of chromosome 4S (l) was the same in each genetic background through both the male and female gametes.

The cytological and genetic characterisation of doubled haploid lines derived from triticale×wheat hybrids

Anther culture, when applied to hexaploid triticale×wheat hybrids, offers the opportunity to re-assort wheat D genome and rye R genome chromosomes into homozygous doubled haploid lines in a single generation. The characterisation of such lines is the first step in their utilisation in wheat improvement. Two lines, M24 and M25 from the cross of 'Beagle'×'Kedong 58', and one line, M27, from the cross 'Beagle'×'Jinghua No. 1' have been characterised using different methods including conventional cytology and chromosome banding, and by using marker systems for storage protein composition (glutenins and gliadins), isozymes (α-amylase, aminopeptidase, glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT)) and RFLP markers. The results from all approaches were consistent in proving that M24 is a whole chromosome 6R/6D substitution line, while M25 and M27 are whole chromosome 1R/1D substitution lines. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each method of identification are also discussed.

Multiple molecular forms of β-amylase in seeds and vegetative tissues of barley

The molecular forms of β-amylase present in developing, mature, germinating and malted grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and in vegetative tissues, have been studied using Western-blot analyses and isoelectric focusing of isoenzymes. Five isoforms with different relative molecular masses (Mrs) could be recognised. The major isoform present in the mature grain, called isoform B, had an Mr of about 60 000. This was converted on malting or germination to two lower-Mr forms called C and D. Previous work (R. Lundgard and B. Svensson, 1986, Carlsberg Res. Commun. 51, 487-491) has shown that these result from partial proteolysis of isoform B. Isoenzyme analyses showed complex patterns of bands, with pIs between about 5.0 and 6.0. Two allelic types were present in the eight lines. A number of new bands with a range of pIs appeared during germination and malting.An isoform with the same Mr as D and a minor low-Mr isoform (E) were present in young developing whole caryopses (8-12 d after anthesis), but not in older developing endosperms (14-21 d after anthesis). Isoenzyme analyses also showed different patterns of bands in these two tissues, while hybrid-dot analyses indicated the presence of separate populations of mRNAs. It is suggested that the early endosperm isoforms (D and E) are "green" β-amylases present in the pericarp and-or testa of the young caryopses.Roots but not shoots or leaves also contained an isoform with the same Mr as D, although the pattern of isoenzymes differed from that present in the seed tissues.The fifth isoform, A, was a diffuse high-Mr form present in small amounts in all seed and vegetative tissues, and may correspond to a constitutively expressed form.These multiple molecular forms of β-amylase are discussed in relation to the recent report that β-amylase is encoded by two structural loci, with a total copy number of two to three per haploid genome (Kreis et al, 1988, Genet. Res. Camb. 51, 13-16).

Identification and chromosomal locations of aconitase gene loci in Triticeae species

Two systems of monomeric aconitase (ACO) isozymes, designated ACO-1 and ACO-2, were identified in Triticum aestivum and in five diploid Triticeae species. The gene loci Aco-A1, Aco-B1, and Aco-D1 were located in T. aestivum cv. 'Chinese Spring' chromosome arms 6Aq, 6Bq, and 6Dq, respectively, and the gene loci Aco-A2, Aco-B2, and Aco-D2 in 5 Aq, 5 Bq, and 5Dq, respectively. Aco-1 gene loci were also identified in 6Eβ of Elytrigia elongata, 6HL of Hordeum vulgare cv. 'Betzes', 6RL of Secale cereale 'PI 252003', 6S(1) of T. longissimum, and CSU-31 of T. umbellulatum. Other Aco-2 gene loci were identified in 5RL of S. cereale cv. 'King II' and 4EL of E. elongata. Conservation of synteny relationships is indicated among the species studied for the genes identified, with the exception of Aco-E2; the presence of this gene in 4EL suggests that E. elongata differs from 'Chinese Spring' and 'King II' by a translocation involving 4E and 5E.