DIFFERENTIAL ALLELIC EXPRESSION AT A LOCUS ENCODING AN ENDOSPERM PROTEIN IN TETRAPLOID WHEAT (TRITICUM TURGIDUM)

Epigenetics of dominance for enzyme activity

We have isolated and purified two parental homodimers and a unique heterodimer of acid phosphatase [coded by Acph-1 (1.05)(F) and Acph-1 (0.95)(S)] from isogenic homozygotes and heterozygotes of Drosophila malerkotliana. F and S produce qualitatively different allozymes and the two alleles are expressed equally within and across all three genotypes and F and S play an equal role in the epigenetics of dominance. Subunit interaction in the heterodimer over a wide range of H+ concentrations accounts for the epigenetics of dominance for enzyme activity.

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.

Biochemical properties and level of expression of alcohol dehydrogenases in the allotetraploid plant Tragopogon miscellus and its diploid progenitors

This study demonstrates that homoeologous genes in two diploid plant species that specify different amounts of an enzyme maintain the same relative level of expression in an allotetraploid derivative. The three predominant alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isozymes (DD, DP, PP) in seeds of the recently evolved allotetraploid plant Tragopogon miscellus (Compositae) are dimers specified by Adh3-D and Adh3-P genes derived from its diploid progenitors T. dubius and T. pratensis. Seeds of T. pratensis contain twice as much ADH activity as those of T. dubius, while T. miscellus is intermediate. The three isozymes were similar in a number of catalytic properties; the densitometric ratio of the isozymes purified from T. miscellus was 1 DD : 4DP : 4PP for both ADH activity and protein; and dissociation-reassociation of the DP enzyme gave a 1:2:1 ratio of the three isozymes. Therefore, the enzymes were similar in specific activity, but twice as many P as D subunits were present in active enzymes in T. miscellus, precisely the difference in activity between the parents. In T. miscellus, the specific activity of ADH and its activity per mg tissue are intermediate to those of the diploids, because relative expression of the Adh gene in each genome is not influenced by the presence of the other genome.

Aneuploid analysis of low molecular weight gliadins from wheat

The chromosomal location of genes affecting five components from the low molecular weight gliadin (LMWG) fraction from wheat endosperm has been investigated by aneuploid analysis. Genes controlling these proteins were assigned to chromosomes 4B, 7A and 7D. Chromosomes from homoeologous groups 1, 2 and 6, where genes controlling classical gliadins are located, are not involved in the control of LMWG.