Improving Quantitative Traits in Self-Pollinated Crops Using Simulation-Based Selection With Minimal Crossing.

Genomic selection and marker-assisted recurrent selection have been applied to improve quantitative traits in many cross-pollinated crops. However, such selection is not feasible in self-pollinated crops owing to laborious crossing procedures. In this study, we developed a simulation-based selection strategy that makes use of a trait prediction model based on genomic information to predict the phenotype of the progeny for all possible crossing combinations. These predictions are then used to select the best cross combinations for the selection of the given trait. In our simulated experiment, using a biparental initial population with a heritability set to 0.3, 0.6, or 1.0 and the number of quantitative trait loci set to 30 or 100, the genetic gain of the proposed strategy was higher or equal to that of conventional recurrent selection method in the early selection cycles, although the number of cross combinations of the proposed strategy was considerably reduced in each cycle. Moreover, this strategy was demonstrated to increase or decrease seed protein content in soybean recombinant inbred lines using SNP markers. Information on 29 genomic regions associated with seed protein content was used to construct the prediction model and conduct simulation. After two selection cycles, the selected progeny had significantly higher or lower seed protein contents than those from the initial population. These results suggest that our strategy is effective in obtaining superior progeny over a short period with minimal crossing and has the potential to efficiently improve the target quantitative traits in self-pollinated crops.

Development of a high-density linkage map and chromosome segment substitution lines for Japanese soybean cultivar Enrei.

Using progeny of a cross between Japanese soybean Enrei and Chinese soybean Peking, we developed a high-density linkage map and chromosomal segment substitution lines (CSSLs). The map consists of 2,177 markers with polymorphism information for 32 accessions and provides a detailed genetic framework for these markers. The marker order on the linkage map revealed close agreement with that on the chromosome-scale assembly, Wm82.a2.v1. The differences, especially on Chr. 5 and Chr. 11, in the present map provides information to identify regions in the genome assembly where additional information is required to resolve marker order and assign remaining scaffolds. To cover the entire soybean genome, we used 999 BC3F2 backcross plants and selected 103 CSSLs carrying chromosomal segments from Peking in the genetic background of Enrei. Using these low-genetic-complexity resources, we dissected variation in traits related to flowering, maturity and yield into approximately 50 reproducible quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and evaluated QTLs with small genetic effects as single genetic factors in a uniform genetic background. CSSLs developed in this study may be good starting material for removing the unfavourable characteristics of Peking during pre-breeding and for isolation of genes conferring disease and stress resistance that have not yet been characterized.

Construction of a high-density mutant library in soybean and development of a mutant retrieval method using amplicon sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Functions of most genes predicted in the soybean genome have not been clarified. A mutant library with a high mutation density would be helpful for functional studies and for identification of novel alleles useful for breeding. Development of cost-effective and high-throughput protocols using next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies is expected to simplify the retrieval of mutants with mutations in genes of interest. RESULTS: To increase the mutation density, seeds of the Japanese elite soybean cultivar Enrei were treated with the chemical mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS); M2 seeds produced by M1 plants were treated with EMS once again. The resultant library, which consisted of DNA and seeds from 1536 plants, revealed large morphological and physiological variations. Based on whole-genome re-sequencing analysis of 12 mutant lines, the average number of base changes was 12,796 per line. On average, 691 and 35 per line were missense and nonsense mutations, respectively. Two screening strategies for high resolution melting (HRM) analysis and indexed amplicon sequencing were designed to retrieve the mutants; the mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing as the final step. In comparison with HRM screening of several genes, indexed amplicon sequencing allows one to scan a longer sequence range and skip screening steps and to know the sequence information of mutation because it uses systematic DNA pooling and the index of NGS reads, which simplifies the discovery of mutants with amino acid substitutions. CONCLUSIONS: A soybean mutant library with a high mutation density was developed. A high mutation density (1 mutation/74 kb) was achieved by repeating the EMS treatment. The mutation density of our library is sufficiently high to obtain a plant in which a gene is nonsense mutated. Thus, our mutant library and the indexed amplicon sequencing will be useful for functional studies of soybean genes and have a potential to yield useful mutant alleles for soybean breeding.

Comparative analysis of complete orthologous centromeres from two subspecies of rice reveals rapid variation of centromere organization and structure.

Centromeres are sites for assembly of the chromosomal structures that mediate faithful segregation at mitosis and meiosis. This function is conserved across species, but the DNA components that are involved in kinetochore formation differ greatly, even between closely related species. To shed light on the nature, evolutionary timing and evolutionary dynamics of rice centromeres, we decoded a 2.25-Mb DNA sequence covering the centromeric region of chromosome 8 of an indica rice variety, 'Kasalath' (Kas-Cen8). Analysis of repetitive sequences in Kas-Cen8 led to the identification of 222 long terminal repeat (LTR)-retrotransposon elements and 584 CentO satellite monomers, which account for 59.2% of the region. A comparison of the Kas-Cen8 sequence with that of japonica rice 'Nipponbare' (Nip-Cen8) revealed that about 66.8% of the Kas-Cen8 sequence was collinear with that of Nip-Cen8. Although the 27 putative genes are conserved between the two subspecies, only 55.4% of the total LTR-retrotransposon elements in 'Kasalath' had orthologs in 'Nipponbare', thus reflecting recent proliferation of a considerable number of LTR-retrotransposons since the divergence of two rice subspecies of indica and japonica within Oryza sativa. Comparative analysis of the subfamilies, time of insertion, and organization patterns of inserted LTR-retrotransposons between the two Cen8 regions revealed variations between 'Kasalath' and 'Nipponbare' in the preferential accumulation of CRR elements, and the expansion of CentO satellite repeats within the core domain of Cen8. Together, the results provide insights into the recent proliferation of LTR-retrotransposons, and the rapid expansion of CentO satellite repeats, underlying the dynamic variation and plasticity of plant centromeres.

The genome sequence and structure of rice chromosome 1.

The rice species Oryza sativa is considered to be a model plant because of its small genome size, extensive genetic map, relative ease of transformation and synteny with other cereal crops. Here we report the essentially complete sequence of chromosome 1, the longest chromosome in the rice genome. We summarize characteristics of the chromosome structure and the biological insight gained from the sequence. The analysis of 43.3 megabases (Mb) of non-overlapping sequence reveals 6,756 protein coding genes, of which 3,161 show homology to proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana, another model plant. About 30% (2,073) of the genes have been functionally categorized. Rice chromosome 1 is (G + C)-rich, especially in its coding regions, and is characterized by several gene families that are dispersed or arranged in tandem repeats. Comparison with a draft sequence indicates the importance of a high-quality finished sequence.