Chromosomal assignment of genes controlling salt-soluble proteins (albumins and globulins) in wheat and related species

Reviving grain quality in wheat through non-destructive phenotyping techniques like hyperspectral imaging

A long-term goal of breeders and researchers is to develop crop varieties that can resist environmental stressors and produce high yields. However, prioritising yield often compromises improvement of other key traits, including grain quality, which is tedious and time-consuming to measure because of the frequent involvement of destructive phenotyping methods. Recently, non-destructive methods such as hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have gained attention in the food industry for studying wheat grain quality. HSI can quantify variations in individual grains, helping to differentiate high-quality grains from those of low quality. In this review, we discuss the reduction of wheat genetic diversity underlying grain quality traits due to modern breeding, key traits for grain quality, traditional methods for studying grain quality and the application of HSI to study grain quality traits in wheat and its scope in breeding. Our critical review of literature on wheat domestication, grain quality traits and innovative technology introduces approaches that could help improve grain quality in wheat.

Genetic architecture underlying the expression of eight α-amylase trypsin inhibitors

KEY MESSAGE

Wheat cultivars largely differ in the content and composition of ATI proteins, but heritability was quite low for six out of eight ATIs. The genetic architecture of ATI proteins is built up of few major and numerous small effect QTL. Amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) are important allergens in baker's asthma and suspected triggers of non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) inducing intestinal and extra-intestinal inflammation. As studies on the expression and genetic architecture of ATI proteins in wheat are lacking, we evaluated 149 European old and modern bread wheat cultivars grown at three different field locations for their content of eight ATI proteins. Large differences in the content and composition of ATIs in the different cultivars were identified ranging from 3.76 pmol for ATI CM2 to 80.4 pmol for ATI 0.19, with up to 2.5-fold variation in CM-type and up to sixfold variation in mono/dimeric ATIs. Generally, heritability estimates were low except for ATI 0.28 and ATI CM2. ATI protein content showed a low correlation with quality traits commonly analyzed in wheat breeding. Similarly, no trends were found regarding ATI content in wheat cultivars originating from numerous countries and decades of breeding history. Genome-wide association mapping revealed a complex genetic architecture built of many small, few medium and two major quantitative trait loci (QTL). The major QTL were located on chromosomes 3B for ATI 0.19-like and 6B for ATI 0.28, explaining 70.6 and 68.7% of the genotypic variance, respectively. Within close physical proximity to the medium and major QTL, we identified eight potential candidate genes on the wheat reference genome encoding structurally related lipid transfer proteins. Consequently, selection and breeding of wheat cultivars with low ATI protein amounts appear difficult requiring other strategies to reduce ATI content in wheat products.

New dimeric inhibitor of heterologous alpha-amylases encoded by a duplicated gene in the short arm of chromosome 3B of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A new wheat dimeric alpha-amylase inhibitor, designated WDAI-3, has been characterized. WDAI-3 is a homodimeric protein active against alpha-amylase from human saliva and from the insect Tenebrio molitor, but inactive against that from pig pancreas or against trypsin. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence is closer to those of the wheat dimeric inhibitors 0.19 and 0.53 (89-91% identical positions in 44 residues) than to that of the monomeric 0.28 inhibitor (69% identical positions). Iha-B1-2, the gene encoding the new inhibitor, is located in the short arm of chromosome 3B, where it is part of an intrachromosomal gene duplication that also codes for the 0.53 inhibitor.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis as a tool for structural and genetic studies of seed proteins from Poaceae and Fagaceae

The application of two-dimensional electrophoretic procedures to structural and genetic studies of seed proteins from Poaceae (including the cultivated cereals) and Fagaceae is described. The following related problems have been considered: covalent and non-covalent association of protein subunits in multiple oligomeric structures; chromosomal locations of genes encoding seed proteins; quantitation of gene products in relation to gene expression and regulation; purification of protein components to study their homology relationships and in vitro activities; evolutionary and phylogenetic relationships; identification of genetic stocks. Isoelectric focusing, pore-gradient electrophoresis, electrophoresis at different pH's, are among the separation procedures used in the first dimension, whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and starch-gel electrophoresis at acid pH have been the preferred second-dimensional methods. Dissociating conditions (sodium dodecyl sulfate, Nonidet P-40, or urea) and reducing conditions (2-mercaptoethanol) have been used when required.

Subunits of tetrameric α-amylase inhibitors of Hordeum chilense are encoded by genes located in chromosomes 4H(ch) and 7H (ch.)

Three proteins (components 1, 2, and 4) of the non-prolamin, 70% ethanol soluble fraction from the endosperm of Hordeum chilense have been identified as putative subunits of the tetrameric inhibitors active against insect α-amylases. In experiments carried out with the synthetic alloploid Tritordeum (H. chilense x Triticum turgidum conv. durum), previously described proteins from T. turgidum, designated CM2, CM3 and CM 16, have been also identified as subunits of α-amylase inhibitors. Genes for components 1 and 4 of H. chilense have been located in chromosomes 4H(ch) and 7H(ch), based on the analysis of H. chilense-T.turgidum addition lines. Subunits of the inhibitors from wheat and from cultivated barley had been previously assigned to chromosomes of the same homoeology groups.

Rye cytology, cytogenetics and genetics - current status

Progress in rye karyology is reviewed with respect to chromosome structure, recognition and chromosome nomenclature. Considerable contributions have been brought about by molecular techniques which have even revealed nucleotide sequences of some of the ribosomal DNA. DNA sequence organization correlates with the distribution of major Giemsa C-band regions as well as with N-bands and the binding sites of fluorescent dyes. The several banding patterns permit the classification of rye chromosomes. The increased data and widespread application of banding analysis require a consistent system of chromosome and/or band designation. Therefore, a standard band nomenclature is proposed with reference to the recommendations of the "Paris Conference on Standardization in Human Cytogenetics". In addition, advances in genetics are summarized and discussed. Based on the original accepted standard karyogram and banding patterns of the rye chromosomes, meanwhile, 120 genes determining several characters have been associated with individual chromosomes and/or chromosome arms, including linkage studies for about 19 arrangements. Most results were obtained using wheat-rye addition lines as well as test crosses with defined translocations. Moreover, genetical studies based on appropriate trisomic and telotrisomic material resulted in the localization of 19 genes, including their linkage relationships.

Genes encoding α-amylase inhibitors are located in the short arms of chromosomes 3B, 3D and 6D of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Three α-amylase inhibitors, designated Inh. I, II and III have been purified from the 70% ethanol extract of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and characterized by amino acid analysis, N-terminal amino acid sequencing and enzyme inhibition tests. Inhibitors I and III have identical N-terminal sequences and inhibitory properties to those of the previously described 0.19/0.53 group of dimeric inhibitors. Inhibitor II has an N-terminal sequence which is identical to that of the previously described 0.28 monomeric inhibitor, but differs from it in that in addition to being active against α-amylase from Tenebrio molitor, it is also active against mammalian salivary and pancreatic α-amylases. Compensating nulli-tetrasomic and ditelosomic lines of wheat cv. 'Chinese Spring' have been analysed by two-dimensional electrophoresis, under conditions in which there is no overlap of the inhibitors with other proteins, and the chromosomal locations of the genes encoding these inhibitors have been established: genes for Inh. I and Inh. III are in the short arms of chromosomes 3B and 3D, respectively, and that for Inh. II in the short arm of chromosome 6D.