Bayesian QTL analyses using pedigreed families of an outcrossing species, with application to fruit firmness in apple

Proof of concept of Bayesian integrated QTL analyses across pedigree-related families from breeding programs of an outbreeding species. Results include QTL confidence intervals, individuals' genotype probabilities and genomic breeding values. Bayesian QTL linkage mapping approaches offer the flexibility to study multiple full sib families with known pedigrees simultaneously. Such a joint analysis increases the probability of detecting these quantitative trait loci (QTL) and provide insight of the magnitude of QTL across different genetic backgrounds. Here, we present an improved Bayesian multi-QTL pedigree-based approach on an outcrossing species using progenies with different (complex) genetic relationships. Different modeling assumptions were studied in the QTL analyses, i.e., the a priori expected number of QTL varied and polygenic effects were considered. The inferences include number of QTL, additive QTL effect sizes and supporting credible intervals, posterior probabilities of QTL genotypes for all individuals in the dataset, and QTL-based as well as genome-wide breeding values. All these features have been implemented in the FlexQTL(™) software. We analyzed fruit firmness in a large apple dataset that comprised 1,347 individuals forming 27 full sib families and their known ancestral pedigrees, with genotypes for 87 SSR markers on 17 chromosomes. We report strong or positive evidence for 14 QTL for fruit firmness on eight chromosomes, validating our approach as several of these QTL were reported previously, though dispersed over a series of studies based on single mapping populations. Interpretation of linked QTL was possible via individuals' QTL genotypes. The correlation between the genomic breeding values and phenotypes was on average 90 %, but varied with the number of detected QTL in a family. The detailed posterior knowledge on QTL of potential parents is critical for the efficiency of marker-assisted breeding.

Mapping of the apple scab-resistance gene Vb

Apple scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, is the major production constraint in temperate zones with humid springs. Normally, its control relies on frequent and regular fungicide applications. Because this control strategy has come under increasing criticism, major efforts are being directed toward the breeding of scab-resistant apple cultivars. Modern apple breeding programs include the use of molecular markers, making it possible to combine several different scab-resistance genes in 1 apple cultivar (pyramiding) and to speed up the breeding process. The apple scab-resistance gene Vb is derived from the Siberian crab apple 'Hansen's baccata #2', and is 1 of the 6 "historical" major apple scab-resistance genes (Vf, Va, Vr, Vbj, Vm, and Vb). Molecular markers have been published for all these genes, except Vr. In testcross experiments conducted in the 1960s, it was reported that Vb segregated independently from 3 other major resistance genes, including Vf. Recently, however, Vb and Vf have both been mapped on linkage group 1, a result that contrasts with the findings from former testcross experiments. In this study, simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to identify the precise position of Vb in a cross of 'Golden Delicious' (vbvb) and 'Hansen's baccata #2' (Vbvb). A genome scanning approach, a fast method already used to map apple scab-resistance genes Vr2 and Vm, was used, and the Vb locus was identified on linkage group 12, between the SSR markers Hi02d05 and Hi07f01. This finding confirms the independent segregation of Vb from Vf. With the identification of SSR markers linked to Vb, another major apple scab-resistance gene has become available; breeders can use it to develop durable resistant cultivars with several different resistance genes.

Retrotransposon characterisation and fingerprinting of apple clones by S-SAP markers

Retrotransposons have been found to comprise the most common class of transposable elements in eukaryotes and to occur in high copy number in plant genomes. Several of these elements have been sequenced and were found to display a high degree of heterogeneity and insertional polymorphism, both within and between species. The dispersion, ubiquity and prevalence of retrotransposons in plant genomes provide an excellent basis for the development of marker systems and, hence, may be good molecular candidates in distinguishing among apple clones, when they represent bud mutations of the original variety, considering that the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) used thus far in fingerprinting analyses have failed to meet discrimination expectations. The technique called sequence-specific amplified polymorphism (S-SAP), which makes it possible to identify dominant markers for the detection of variation in the DNA flanking the retrotransposon insertion site, was used in the present study to distinguish several clones of the cultivars 'Gala' and 'Braeburn' in apple fingerprinting. Moreover, our results suggest that the bud mutations, which have generated new patented varieties of 'Gala' and 'Braeburn', appear to derive from retrotransposon insertion.

Identification by genome scanning approach (GSA) of a microsatellite tightly associated with the apple scab resistance gene Vm

For all known major apple scab resistance genes except Vr, molecular markers have been published. However, the precise position of some of these genes, in the apple genome, remains to be identified. Knowledge about the relative position of apple scab resistance genes is necessary to preliminarily evaluate the probability of success of their pyramidization. Pyramidization of different resistance genes into the same genotype is a reliable way to create cultivars with durable apple scab resistance. Applying the genome scanning approach (GSA), we identified the linkage group of the scab resistance gene Vm, derived from Malus micromalus, and we found a new molecular marker tightly associated with the gene. The simple sequence repeat Hi07h02, previously mapped on linkage group 17, cosegregates with the Vm gene (no recombinants in the 95 plants tested). The already published sequence-characterized amplified region Vm marker OPB12(687) was found to be linked at about 5 cM from the resistance gene and, therefore, this marker also maps on linkage group 17 of apple. This is the first report of the discovery of a major apple scab resistance gene on linkage group 17. The advantages of using GSA for the identification of molecular markers for qualitative traits are discussed.

Identification of functional apple scab resistance gene promoters

Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) is one of the most damaging diseases affecting commercial apple production. Some wild Malus species possess resistance against apple scab. One gene, HcrVf2, from a cluster of three genes derived from the wild apple Malus floribunda clone 821, has recently been shown to confer resistance to apple scab when transferred into a scab-susceptible apple variety. For this proof-of-function experiment, the use of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower mosaic virus was reliable and appropriate. However, in order to reduce the amount of non-plant DNA in genetically modified apple to a minimum, with the aim of increasing genetically modified organism acceptability, these genes would ideally be regulated by their own promoters. In this study, sequences from the promoter region of the three members of the HcrVf gene family were compared. Promoter constructs containing progressive 5' deletions were prepared and used for functional analyses. Qualitative assessment confirmed promoter activity in apple. Quantitative promoter comparison was carried out in tobacco (Nicotiana glutinosa) and led to the identification of several promoter regions with different strengths from a basal level to half the strength of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower mosaic virus.

Characterisation and transferability of apple SSRs to two European pear F1 populations

European pear (Pyrus communis L.) is among the important fruit species for which only few genetic studies have been carried out. Available evidence indicates that simple sequence repeats (SSR) are very useful as molecular markers because they are codominant, highly polymorphic, abundant and reproducible. The present paper reports more than 100 apple SSR markers in two populations of European pear; a total of 41 SSR markers were then positioned on a genetic linkage map of the cross 'Passe Crassane' x 'Harrow Sweet' and 31 in the map 'Abbe Fetel' x 'Max Red Bartlett'. Syntenic relationships between pear and apple maps have been considered for the chromosomes carrying two or more SSR markers. The alignment among the two maps supports the colinearity of the two genomes with respect both to identification and to orientation of the linkage groups.

Apple contains receptor-like genes homologous to the Cladosporium fulvum resistance gene family of tomato with a cluster of genes cosegregating with Vf apple scab resistance

Scab caused by the fungal pathogen Venturia inaequalis is the most common disease of cultivated apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.). Monogenic resistance against scab is found in some small-fruited wild Malus species and has been used in apple breeding for scab resistance. Vf resistance of Malus floribunda 821 is the most widely used scab resistance source. Because breeding a high-quality cultivar in perennial fruit trees takes dozens of years, cloning disease resistance genes and using them in the transformation of high-quality apple varieties would be advantageous. We report the identification of a cluster of receptor-like genes with homology to the Cladosporium fulvum (Cf) resistance gene family of tomato on bacterial artificial chromosome clones derived from the Vf scab resistance locus. Three members of the cluster were sequenced completely. Similar to the Cf gene family of tomato, the deduced amino acid sequences coded by these genes contain an extracellular leucine-rich repeat domain and a transmembrane domain. The transcription of three members of the cluster was determined by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction to be constitutive, and the transcription and translation start of one member was verified by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. We discuss the parallels between Cf resistance of tomato and Vf resistance of apple and the possibility that one of the members of the gene cluster is the Vf gene. Cf homologs from other regions of the apple genome also were identified and are likely to present other scab resistance genes.

Microsatellite DNA in peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and its use in fingerprinting and testing the genetic origin of cultivars

We isolated and sequenced 26 microsatellites from two genomic libraries of peach cultivar 'Redhaven', enriched for AC/GT and AG/CT repeats, respectively. For 17 of these microsatellites, it was possible to demonstrate Mendelian inheritance. Microsatellite polymorphism was assayed in 50 peach and nectarine cultivars. Of the 1300 PCRs carried out, all but two produced amplified products of the expected size. All microsatellites were polymorphic, showing 2-8 alleles per locus. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.04-0.74 (mean 0.47); the discrimination power (PD) ranged from 0.04-0.84 (mean 0.60). Cultivar heterozygosity varied greatly, with one cultivar ('Independence') being homozygous at all loci. The set of microsatellites discriminated all cultivars investigated, except several sport mutations, i.e., 'Dixitime' vs. 'Springcrest', 'Compact Redhaven' vs. 'Redhaven', and two pairs of cultivars, 'Venus' vs. 'Orion' and 'Elegant Lady' vs. 'Rome Star', whose pedigrees are controversial. We were able to analyze the paternity of several cultivars. In most cases, the parenthood was confirmed. The comparison of three long-living 'Redhaven' accessions supplied by different repositories did not provide any evidence of somatic instability of microsatellites. Hence, microsatellites, ranked according to their information content, are recommended as markers of choice for peach fingerprinting and suggestions are provided for interpreting band profiles and the correct sizing of alleles.

Construction of a 550 kb BAC contig spanning the genomic region containing the apple scab resistance gene Vf

A positional cloning project was started in apple with the aim of isolating the Vf resistance gene of Malus floribunda 821. Vf confers resistance against apple scab, the most important disease in apple orchards. A chromosome walk starting from two molecular markers (M18-CAPS and AM19-SCAR) flanking Vf was performed, using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library containing inserts of the cultivar Florina, which is heterozygous for Vf. Thirteen BAC clones spanning the region between the two markers were identified in nine chromosome walking steps. The size of the resulting contig is approximately 550 kb. In order to map the Vf region in more detail, we analyzed over 2000 plants from different populations segregating for Vf with markers produced from BAC end sequences. In this way, we were able to restrict the possible location of the Vf gene to a minimum of five clones spanning an interval of approximately 350 kb.