Potential genetic variance and the domestication of maize

The maize methylome influences mRNA splice sites and reveals widespread paramutation-like switches guided by small RNA

The maize genome, with its large complement of transposons and repeats, is a paradigm for the study of epigenetic mechanisms such as paramutation and imprinting. Here, we present the genome-wide map of cytosine methylation for two maize inbred lines, B73 and Mo17. CG (65%) and CHG (50%) methylation (where H = A, C, or T) is highest in transposons, while CHH (5%) methylation is likely guided by 24-nt, but not 21-nt, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Correlations with methylation patterns suggest that CG methylation in exons (8%) may deter insertion of Mutator transposon insertion, while CHG methylation at splice acceptor sites may inhibit RNA splicing. Using the methylation map as a guide, we used low-coverage sequencing to show that parental methylation differences are inherited by recombinant inbred lines. However, frequent methylation switches, guided by siRNA, persist for up to eight generations, suggesting that epigenetic inheritance resembling paramutation is much more common than previously supposed. The methylation map will provide an invaluable resource for epigenetic studies in maize.

Allelic diversification at the C (OsC1) locus of wild and cultivated rice: nucleotide changes associated with phenotypes

Divergent phenotypes are often detected in domesticated plants despite the existence of invariant phenotypes in their wild forms. One such example in rice is the occurrence of varying degrees of apiculus coloration due to anthocyanin pigmentation, which was previously reported to be caused by a series of alleles at the C locus. The present study reveals, on the basis of comparison of its maps, that the C gene appears to be the rice homolog (OsC1) of maize C1, which belongs to the group of R2R3-Myb factors. Two different types of deletions causing a frameshift were detected in the third exon, and both of the deleted nucleotides corresponded to the positions of putative base-contacting residues, suggesting that the Indica and Japonica types carry loss-of-function mutations with independent origins. In addition, replacement substitutions were frequently detected in OsC1 of strains carrying the previously defined C alleles. Molecular population analysis revealed that 17 haplotypes were found in 39 wild and cultivated rices, and the haplotypes of most cultivated forms could be classified into one of three distinct groups, with few shared haplotypes among taxa, including Indica and Japonica types. The genealogy of the OsC1 gene suggests that allelic diversification causing phenotypic change might have resulted from mutations in the coding region rather than from recombination between preexisting alleles. The McDonald and Kreitman test revealed that the changes in amino acids might be associated with selective forces acting on the lineage of group A whose haplotypes were carried by most Asian cultivated forms. The results regarding a significant implication for genetic diversity in landraces of rice are also discussed.

Between genotype and phenotype: protein chaperones and evolvability

Protein chaperones direct the folding of polypeptides into functional proteins, facilitate developmental signalling and, as heat-shock proteins (HSPs), can be indispensable for survival in unpredictable environments. Recent work shows that the main HSP chaperone families also buffer phenotypic variation. Chaperones can do this either directly through masking the phenotypic effects of mutant polypeptides by allowing their correct folding, or indirectly through buffering the expression of morphogenic variation in threshold traits by regulating signal transduction. Environmentally sensitive chaperone functions in protein folding and signal transduction have different potential consequences for the evolution of populations and lineages under selection in changing environments.