SSCP-SNP in pearl millet--a new marker system for comparative genetics.

A considerable array of genomic resources are in place in pearl millet, and marker-aided selection is already in use in the public breeding programme at ICRISAT. This paper describes experiments to extend these publicly available resources to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based marker system. A new marker system, single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP)-SNP, was developed using annotated rice genomic sequences to initially predict the intron-exon borders in millet expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and then to design primers that would amplify across the introns. An adequate supply of millet ESTs was available for us to identify 299 homologues of single-copy rice genes in which the intron positions could be precisely predicted. PCR primers were then designed to amplify approximately 500-bp genomic fragments containing introns. Analysis of these fragments on SSCP gels revealed considerable polymorphism. A detailed DNA sequence analysis of variation at four of the SSCP-SNP loci over a panel of eight inbred genotypes showed complex patterns of variation, with about one SNP or indel (insertion-deletion) every 59 bp in the introns, but considerably fewer in the exons. About two-thirds of the variation was derived from SNPs and one-third from indels. Most haplotypes were detected by SSCP. As a marker system, SSCP-SNP has lower development costs than simple sequence repeats (SSRs), because much of the work is in silico, and similar deployment costs and through-put potential. The rates of polymorphism were lower but useable, with a mean PIC of 0.49 relative to 0.72 for SSRs in our eight inbred genotype panel screen. The major advantage of the system is in comparative applications. Syntenic information can be used to target SSCP-SNP markers to specific chromosomal regions or, conversely, SSCP-SNP markers can be used to unravel detailed syntenic relationships in specific parts of the genome. Finally, a preliminary analysis showed that the millet SSCP-SNP primers amplified in other cereals with a success rate of about 50%. There is also considerable potential to promote SSCP-SNP to a COS (conserved orthologous set) marker system for application across species by more specifically designing primers to precisely match the model genome sequence.

An integrated genetic map and a new set of simple sequence repeat markers for pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum.

Over the past 10 years, resources have been established for the genetic analysis of pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., an important staple crop of the semi-arid regions of India and Africa. Among these resources are detailed genetic maps containing both homologous and heterologous restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, and simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Genetic maps produced in four different crosses have been integrated to develop a consensus map of 353 RFLP and 65 SSR markers. Some 85% of the markers are clustered and occupy less than a third of the total map length. This phenomenon is independent of the cross. Our data suggest that extreme localization of recombination toward the chromosome ends, resulting in gaps on the genetic map of 30 cM or more in the distal regions, is typical for pearl millet. The unequal distribution of recombination has consequences for the transfer of genes controlling important agronomic traits from donor to elite pearl millet germplasm. The paper also describes the generation of 44 SSR markers from a (CA)n-enriched small-insert genomic library. Previously, pearl millet SSRs had been generated from BAC clones, and the relative merits of both methodologies are discussed.

L-RCA (ligation-rolling circle amplification): a general method for genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

A flexible, non-gel-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection method is described. The method adopts thermostable ligation for allele discrimination and rolling circle amplification (RCA) for signal enhancement. Clear allelic discrimination was achieved after staining of the final reaction mixtures with Cybr-Gold and visualisation by UV illumination. The use of a compatible buffer system for all enzymes allows the reaction to be initiated and detected in the same tube or microplate well, so that the experiment can be scaled up easily for high-throughput detection. Only a small amount of DNA (i.e. 50 ng) is required per assay, and use of carefully designed short padlock probes coupled with generic primers and probes make the SNP detection cost effective. Biallelic assay by hybridisation of the RCA products with fluorescence dye-labelled probes is demonstrated, indicating that ligation-RCA (L-RCA) has potential for multiplexed assays.

Development of simple sequence repeat markers from bacterial artificial chromosomes without subcloning.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were isolated from pearl millet bacterial artificial clones (BACs) without any subcloning steps. SSR sequences were targeted using 3' end-anchored SSR primers. Flanking sequences were isolated by suppression PCR. In this pilot study, 25 SSR markers have been developed from 40 BAC pools, comprising a total of 384 clones. This novel way to develop new markers has the added advantage that mapping the SSR markers will anchor individual BACs to the genetic maps and, thus, facilitate the construction of BAC contigs.

'Green revolution' genes encode mutant gibberellin response modulators.

World wheat grain yields increased substantially in the 1960s and 1970s because farmers rapidly adopted the new varieties and cultivation methods of the so-called 'green revolution'. The new varieties are shorter, increase grain yield at the expense of straw biomass, and are more resistant to damage by wind and rain. These wheats are short because they respond abnormally to the plant growth hormone gibberellin. This reduced response to gibberellin is conferred by mutant dwarfing alleles at one of two Reduced height-1 (Rht-B1 and Rht-D1) loci. Here we show that Rht-B1/Rht-D1 and maize dwarf-8 (d8) are orthologues of the Arabidopsis Gibberellin Insensitive (GAI) gene. These genes encode proteins that resemble nuclear transcription factors and contain an SH2-like domain, indicating that phosphotyrosine may participate in gibberellin signalling. Six different orthologous dwarfing mutant alleles encode proteins that are altered in a conserved amino-terminal gibberellin signalling domain. Transgenic rice plants containing a mutant GAI allele give reduced responses to gibberellin and are dwarfed, indicating that mutant GAI orthologues could be used to increase yield in a wide range of crop species.

Towards rice genome scanning by map-based AFLP fingerprinting.

Map-based DNA fingerprinting with AFLP markers provides a fast method for scanning the rice genome. Three hundred AFLP markers identified with ten primer combinations were mapped in two rice populations. The genetic maps were aligned and almost full coverage of the rice genome was obtained. The transferability of AFLP markers between indica x japonica and indica x indica crosses was tested. The chromosomes were divided into DNA Fingerprint Linkage Blocks (DFLBs) defined by specific AFLP markers. Using these blocks, the degree of similarity or divergence within specific chromosome regions was calculated for nine varieties. Applications of map-based fingerprinting for biodiversity studies and maker-assisted selection are discussed.

Plant comparative genetics after 10 years.

The past 10 years have seen the discovery of unexpected levels of conservation of gene content and gene orders over millions of years of evolution within grasses, crucifers, legumes, some trees, and Solanaceae crops. Within the grasses, which include the three 500-million-ton-plus-per-year crops (wheat, maize, and rice), and the crucifers, which include all the Brassica crops, colinearity looks good enough to do most map-based cloning only in the small genome model species, rice and Arabidopsis. Elsewhere, knowledge gained in a few major crops is being pooled and applied across the board. The extrapolation of information from the well-studied species to orphan crops, which include many tropical species, is providing a solid base for their improvement. Genome rearrangements are giving new insights into evolution. In fact, comparative genetics is the key that will unlock the secrets of crop plants with genomes larger than that of humans.

Comparative genetics in the grasses.

Genetic mapping of wheat, maize, and rice and other grass species with common DNA probes has revealed remarkable conservation of gene content and gene order over the 60 million years of radiation of Poaceae. The linear organization of genes in some nine different genomes differing in basic chromosome number from 5 to 12 and nuclear DNA amount from 400 to 6,000 Mb, can be described in terms of only 25 "rice linkage blocks." The extent to which this intergenomic colinearity is confounded at the micro level by gene duplication and micro-rearrangements is still an open question. Nevertheless, it is clear that the elucidation of the organization of the economically important grasses with larger genomes, such as maize (2n = 10, 4,500 Mb DNA), will, to a greater or lesser extent, be predicted from sequence analysis of smaller genomes such as rice, with only 400 Mb, which in turn may be greatly aided by knowledge of the entire sequence of Arabidopsis, which may be available as soon as the turn of the century. Comparative genetics will provide the key to unlock the genomic secrets of crop plants with bigger genomes than Homo sapiens.

Comparative genetics in the grasses.

Comparative genetic studies have demonstrated that gene content and orders are highly conserved, both at the map and megabase level, between different species within the grass family. Integration of the genetic maps of rice, foxtail millet, sugar cane, sorghum, maize, the Triticeae cereals and oats into a single synthesis reveals that some chromosome arrangements characterise taxonomic groups, while others have arisen during or after speciation. A detailed analysis of the comparative maps of seven species, belonging to three subfamilies, and their applications are described below.

Cloning and genetic mapping of wheat telomere-associated sequences.

Wheat telomere-associated sequences (TASs) were cloned using a Vectorette approach and sequenced. Reverse primers specific to the TASs were combined with labelled degenerate telomere primers in PCR reactions containing total genomic DNA as template. Amplification products were separated on sequencing gels. In total, seventeen primer combinations provided 47 polymorphic fragments. Nine of these mapped beyond the most distal RFLP markers and defined the ends of seven chromosome arms. Seven of the nine terminal fragments were derived from a 118-bp tandem repeat, indicating that subtelomeric tandem repeat sequences provide an efficient means to target chromosome ends. A telomere cloning strategy and the terminal and interstitial location of TASs are discussed.

Characterization of progenies of Triticum aestivum-Psathyrostachys juncea derivatives by using genomic in-situ hybridization.

Using genomic in-situ hybridization (GISH) technique, 7 translocation-addition lines, 6 translocation and translocation-addition lines, 2 ditelosomic addition lines and 1 translocation line were identified from Triticum aestivum L. -Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski intergeneric hybrids, of which translocation-addition and translocation and translocation-addition lines were not found in other reports. No substitutions and disomic additions were detected in the, hybrids and breakages occurred in all P. juncea chromosomes studied. Results have shown that the improved GISH technique is a rapid and economical method for use in this field.

[Fingerprinting varieties of foxtail millet using probe gFM31].

Fifty-nine genotypes (landraces, varieties or breeder's lines) of foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) were used in DNA fingerprinting with a highly polymorphic probe, xPSF31. Fifty-eight types were distinguished, with only two genotypes giving identical band patterns. DNA sequencing of xPSF31 did not reveal any relationship with mini-or micro-satellite sequences. The probe revealed only weak signals in genomic DNA from other cereal species, wheat, barley, maize, rice, and pearl millet, indicating that xPSF31 is a Setaria genus specific sequence.

The effect of genome and sex on recombination rates in Pennisetum species.

The effects of homoeology and sex on recombination frequency were studied in crosses between cultivated pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, and two wild subspecies, P. violaceum and P. mollissimum. For the two wild x cultivated crosses, reciprocal three-way crosses were made between the F1 hybrid and an inbred line (Tift 23DB1). The three-way cross populations were mapped to produce a female map of each wide cross (where the F1 was the female) and a male map (where the F1 was the male). Total genetic map lengths of the two inter-subspecies crosses were broadly similar and around 85 % of a comparable intervarietal map. In the P. glaucumxP. mollissimum crosses, the map was further shortened by a large (40 cM) inversion in linkage group 1. Comparison of the recovered recombinants from male and female meiocytes showed an overall trend for the genetic maps to be longer in the male (∼10%) in both inter-subspecific crosses; however, analysis of individual linkage intervals showed no significant differences. Gametophytic selection was prevalent, and sometimes extreme, for example 12∶1 in favour of 'wild' alleles in the P. glaucumxP. mollissimum male recombinant population. One of the loci which determines panicle type in cultivated pearl millet and wild relatives, H, was mapped 9 cM from Xpsm812 on linkage group 7 in the P. violaceum cross.

RFLP-based maps of the homoeologous group-6 chromosomes of wheat and their application in the tagging of Pm12, a powdery mildew resistance gene transferred from Aegilops speltoides to wheat.

Genetic maps of the homoeologous group-6 chromosomes of bread wheat, Triticum aestivum, have been constructed spanning 103 cM on 6A, 90 cM on 6B and 124 cM on 6D. These maps were transferred to a Chinese Spring (CS) x line #31 cross to locate a dominant powdery mildew resistance gene, Pm12, introgressed into line #31 from Aegilops speltoides. Pm12 was shown to lie on the short arm of translocation chromosome 6BS-6SS.6SL in line #31, but could not be mapped more precisely due to the lack of recombination between the 6S Ae. speltoides segment and chromosome 6B. Possible strategies to reduce the size of the alien segment, which probably encompasses the complete long arm and more than 82% of the short arm of chromosome 6B, are discussed.

Differentiation between wheat chromosomes 4B and 4D.

A linkage map based on homoeologous recombination, induced by the absence of the Ph1 locus, between chromosome 4D of Triticum aestivum L. (genomes AABBDD) and chromosome 4B of T. turgidum L. (genomes AABB) was compared with a linkage map of chromosome 4Am of T. monococcum L. and a consensus map of chromosomes 4B and 4D of T. aestivum based on homologous recombination. The 4D/4B homoeologous map was only one-third the length of the homologous maps and all intervals were reduced relative to the 4B-4D consensus map. After the homoeologous map was corrected for this overall reduction in recombination, the distribution of recombination in the short arm was similar in both types of maps. In the long arm, homoeologous recombination declined disproportionally in the distal to proximal direction. This gradient was shown to be largely caused by severe segregation distortion reflecting selection against 4D genetic material. The segregation distortion had a maximum that coincided with the centromere and likely had a polygenic cause. Chromosomes 4D and 4B were colinear and recombination between them occurred in almost all intervals where homologous recombination occurred. These findings suggest that these chromosomes are not differentiated structurally and that the differentiation is not segmental. In the presence of Ph1, metaphase I chromosome pairing between chromosomes composed of homologous and differentiated regions correlated with the lengths of the homologous regions. No compensatory allocation of crossovers into the homologous regions was detected. In this respect, the present results are in dramatic contrast with the crossover allocation into the pseudoautosomal region in the mammalian male meiosis.

Cereal genome evolution. Grasses, line up and form a circle.

The genomes of six major grass species can be aligned by dissecting the individual chromosomes into segments and rearranging these linkage blocks into highly similar structures.

Use of RFLPs to determine the chromosome composition of tetraploid triticale (A/B)(A/B)RR.

Tetraploid triticale, (A/B)(A/B)RR (2n = 28), is a botanical novelty, an amphiploid composed of a diploid rye and a 14 chromosome wheat genome made up of chromosomes of the A and B genomes of tetraploid wheat. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to elucidate the chromosome composition of the mixed wheat genome of 35 different tetraploid triticale lines. Of 128 possible A/B chromosome pair combinations, only 6 were found among these lines, with a prevalence of the 1A, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B karyotype. In most triticale lines stable wheat genomes made up of only homologous A or B genome chromosome pairs were identified, however, in some lines homoeologous chromosome pairs were found. In this paper we demonstrate that RFLPs can be used successfully as an alternative to C-banding for the identification of the chromosome composition of tetraploid triticale and discuss the possible selective advantage of specific chromosome composition.

Adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase genes in wheat: differential expression and gene mapping.

A full-length cDNA clone representing the large (shrunken-2) subunit of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP; EC 2.7.7.27) has been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from developing grain of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Chinese Spring). The 2084-bp cDNA insert contains an open reading frame of 1566 nucleotides and primer-extension analysis indicated that the 5' end is 10 nucleotides shorter than the mRNA. The deduced protein contains 522 amino acids (57.8 kDa) and includes a putative transit peptide of 62 amino acids (6.5 kDa). The similarity of the deduced protein to the small subunit of AGP and to other AGP genes from plants and microorganisms is discussed. Northern hybridisation shows that the Agp1 genes (encoding the small subunit in the wheat endosperm) and the Agp2 genes (encoding the large subunit in the wheat endosperm) are differentially expressed in the wheat grain. Transcripts from both gene sets accumulate to high levels in the endosperm during grain development with the majority of the expression in the endopsperm rather than the embryo and pericarp layers. Although enzyme activity is detected in developing grains prior to 10 d post anthesis, only the Agp1 genes are active at this time (the Agp2 genes are not expressed until 10 d post anthesis). The possibility that the enzyme expressed during early grain development is a homotetramer of small subunits is discussed. The Agp1 and Agp2 genes are arranged as triplicate sets of single-copy homoeoloci in wheat. The Agp2 genes are located on the long arms of chromosomes 1A, 1B and 1D, about 80 cM from the centromere. The Agp1 genes have been mapped to a position just distal to the centromere on the long arms of chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D.

Structural evolution of wheat chromosomes 4A, 5A, and 7B and its impact on recombination.

The construction of comparative genetic maps of chromosomes 4A(m) and 5A(m) of Triticum monococcum and chromosomes of homoeologous groups 4, 5 and 7 of T. aestivum has provided insight into the evolution of these chromosomes. The structures of chromosomes 4A, 5A and 7B of modern-day hexaploid bread wheat can be explained by a 4AL/5AL translocation that occurred at the diploid level and is present both in T. monococcum and T. aestivum. Three further rearrangements, a 4AL/7BS translocation, a pericentric inversion and a paracentric inversion, have taken place in the tetraploid progenitor of hexaploid wheat. These structural rearrangements and the evolution of chromosomes 4A, 5A and 7B of bread wheat are discussed. The presence of the 4AL/5AL translocation in several Triticeae genomes raises two questions - which state is the more primitive, and is the translocation of mono- or poly-phylogenetic origin?The rearrangements that have occurred in chromosome 4A resulted in segments of both arms having different positions relative to the telomere, compared to 4A(m) and to 4B and 4D. Comparisons of map length in these regions indicate that genetic length is a function of distance from the telomere, with the distal regions showing the highest recombination.