Frequent nonreciprocal translocations in the amphidiploid genome of oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Dosage-sensitivity shapes how genes transcriptionally respond to allopolyploidy and homoeologous exchange in resynthesized Brassica napus

The gene balance hypothesis proposes that selection acts on the dosage (i.e. copy number) of genes within dosage-sensitive portions of networks, pathways, and protein complexes to maintain balanced stoichiometry of interacting proteins, because perturbations to stoichiometric balance can result in reduced fitness. This selection has been called dosage balance selection. Dosage balance selection is also hypothesized to constrain expression responses to dosage changes, making dosage-sensitive genes (those encoding members of interacting proteins) experience more similar expression changes. In allopolyploids, where whole-genome duplication involves hybridization of diverged lineages, organisms often experience homoeologous exchanges that recombine, duplicate, and delete homoeologous regions of the genome and alter the expression of homoeologous gene pairs. Although the gene balance hypothesis makes predictions about the expression response to homoeologous exchanges, they have not been empirically tested. We used genomic and transcriptomic data from 6 resynthesized, isogenic Brassica napus lines over 10 generations to identify homoeologous exchanges, analyzed expression responses, and tested for patterns of genomic imbalance. Groups of dosage-sensitive genes had less variable expression responses to homoeologous exchanges than dosage-insensitive genes, a sign that their relative dosage is constrained. This difference was absent for homoeologous pairs whose expression was biased toward the B. napus A subgenome. Finally, the expression response to homoeologous exchanges was more variable than the response to whole-genome duplication, suggesting homoeologous exchanges create genomic imbalance. These findings expand our knowledge of the impact of dosage balance selection on genome evolution and potentially connect patterns in polyploid genomes over time, from homoeolog expression bias to duplicate gene retention.

Homoeologous non-reciprocal translocation explains a major QTL for seed lignin content in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

A homoeologous non-reciprocal translocation was identified in the major QTL for seed lignin content in the low lignin line SGDH14. The lignin biosynthetic gene PAL4 was deleted. Oilseed rape is a major oil crop and a valuable protein source for animal and human nutrition. Lignin is a non-digestible, major component of the seed coat with negative effect on sensory quality, bioavailability and usage of oilseed rape's protein. Hence, seed lignin reduction is of economic and nutritional importance. In this study, the major QTL for reduced lignin content found on chromosome C05 in the DH population SGDH14 x Express 617 was further examined. SGDH14 had lower seed lignin content than Express 617. Harvested seeds from a F2 population of the same cross were additionally field tested and used for seed quality analysis. The F2 population showed a bimodal distribution for seed lignin content. F2 plants with low lignin content had thinner seed coats compared to high lignin lines. Both groups showed a dark seed colour with a slightly lighter colour in the low lignin group indicating that a low lignin content is not necessarily associated with yellow seed colour. Mapping of genomic long-reads from SGDH14 against the Express 617 genome assembly revealed a homoeologous non-reciprocal translocation (HNRT) in the confidence interval of the major QTL for lignin content. A homologous A05 region is duplicated and replaced the C05 region in SGDH14. As consequence several genes located in the C05 region were lost in SGDH14. Thus, a HNRT was identified in the major QTL region for reduced lignin content in the low lignin line SGDH14. The most promising candidate gene related to lignin biosynthesis on C05, PAL4, was deleted.

Patterns, mechanisms, and consequences of homoeologous exchange in allopolyploid angiosperms: a genomic and epigenomic perspective

Allopolyploids result from hybridization between different evolutionary lineages coupled with genome doubling. Homoeologous chromosomes (chromosomes with common shared ancestry) may undergo recombination immediately after allopolyploid formation and continue over successive generations. The outcome of this meiotic pairing behavior is dynamic and complex. Homoeologous exchanges (HEs) may lead to the formation of unbalanced gametes, reduced fertility, and selective disadvantage. By contrast, HEs could act as sources of novel evolutionary substrates, shifting the relative dosage of parental gene copies, generating novel phenotypic diversity, and helping the establishment of neo-allopolyploids. However, HE patterns vary among lineages, across generations, and even within individual genomes and chromosomes. The causes and consequences of this variation are not fully understood, though interest in this evolutionary phenomenon has increased in the last decade. Recent technological advances show promise in uncovering the mechanistic basis of HEs. Here, we describe recent observations of the common patterns among allopolyploid angiosperm lineages, underlying genomic and epigenomic features, and consequences of HEs. We identify critical research gaps and discuss future directions with far-reaching implications in understanding allopolyploid evolution and applying them to the development of important phenotypic traits of polyploid crops.

Conservation and Divergence of the Trihelix Genes in Brassica and Expression Profiles of BnaTH Genes in Brassica napus under Abiotic Stresses

Trihelix (TH) proteins are a family of plant-specific transcription factors that play a role in light response and are extensively involved in plant growth and development, as well as in various stress responses. However, the function of TH genes in Brassica napus (B. napus) remains unclear, as does the evolution and differentiation pattern of TH genes in Brassica plants. Here, we identified a total of 455 TH genes in seven species, including six Brassica species and Arabidopsis, which were grouped into five clades, GT-1, GT-2, GTγ, SH4, and SIP1, each with 69, 142, 44, 55, and 145 members, respectively. The types and distributions of motifs of the TH proteins and the structures of the TH genes are conserved in the same subgroup, and some variations in certain amino acid residues occur in B. napus when inheriting motifs from Brassica rapa (B. rapa) and Brassica oleracea (B. oleracea). Collinearity analysis revealed that the massive expansion of TH genes in tetraploid species was attributed to the hetero-tetraploidization of diploid ancestors and gene duplication events within the tetraploid species. Comparative analysis of the membership numbers of five subgroups in different species revealed that the GT-2 and SIP1 genes underwent significant expansion during evolution, possibly to support the better adaptation of plants to their environments. The differential expression of the BnaTH genes under five stresses indicates that the BnaTH genes are involved in plant responses to stresses such as drought, cold, and heat. The presence of different stress-responsive cis-elements in the upstream promoter region of the genes indicated that BnaTH genes have the potential to cope with variable environments. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR analyses also confirmed that five TH genes respond to different abiotic stresses. Our results provide information and candidates for further studies on the role of TH genes in stress resistance of B. napus.

Modelling of gene loss propensity in the pangenomes of three Brassica species suggests different mechanisms between polyploids and diploids

Plant genomes demonstrate significant presence/absence variation (PAV) within a species; however, the factors that lead to this variation have not been studied systematically in Brassica across diploids and polyploids. Here, we developed pangenomes of polyploid Brassica napus and its two diploid progenitor genomes B. rapa and B. oleracea to infer how PAV may differ between diploids and polyploids. Modelling of gene loss suggests that loss propensity is primarily associated with transposable elements in the diploids while in B. napus, gene loss propensity is associated with homoeologous recombination. We use these results to gain insights into the different causes of gene loss, both in diploids and following polyploidization, and pave the way for the application of machine learning methods to understanding the underlying biological and physical causes of gene presence/absence.

Spontaneous generation of diversity in Arachis neopolyploids (Arachis ipaënsis × Arachis duranensis)4x replays the early stages of peanut evolution

Polyploidy is considered a driving force in plant evolution and domestication. Although in the genus Arachis, several diploid species were traditionally cultivated for their seeds, only the allotetraploid peanut Arachis hypogaea became the successful, widely spread legume crop. This suggests that polyploidy has given selective advantage for domestication of peanut. Here, we study induced allotetraploid (neopolyploid) lineages obtained from crosses between the peanut's progenitor species, Arachis ipaënsis and Arachis duranensis, at earlier and later generations. We observed plant morphology, seed dimensions, and genome structure using cytogenetics (FISH and GISH) and SNP genotyping. The neopolyploid lineages show more variable fertility and seed morphology than their progenitors and cultivated peanut. They also showed sexual and somatic genome instability, evidenced by changes of number of detectable 45S rDNA sites, and extensive homoeologous recombination indicated by mosaic patterns of chromosomes and changes in dosage of SNP alleles derived from the diploid species. Genome instability was not randomly distributed across the genome: the more syntenic chromosomes, the higher homoeologous recombination. Instability levels are higher than observed on peanut lines, therefore it is likely that more unstable lines tend to perish. We conclude that early stages of the origin and domestication of the allotetraploid peanut involved two genetic bottlenecks: the first, common to most allotetraploids, is composed of the rare hybridization and polyploidization events, followed by sexual reproductive isolation from its wild diploid relatives. Here, we suggest a second bottleneck: the survival of the only very few lineages that had stronger mechanisms for limiting genomic instability.

A major quantitative trait locus on chromosome A9, BnaPh1, controls homoeologous recombination in Brassica napus

Ensuring faithful homologous recombination in allopolyploids is essential to maintain optimal fertility of the species. Variation in the ability to control aberrant pairing between homoeologous chromosomes in Brassica napus has been identified. The current study exploited the extremes of such variation to identify genetic factors that differentiate newly resynthesised B. napus, which is inherently unstable, and established B. napus, which has adapted to largely control homoeologous recombination. A segregating B. napus mapping population was analysed utilising both cytogenetic observations and high-throughput genotyping to quantify the levels of homoeologous recombination. Three quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified that contributed to the control of homoeologous recombination in the important oilseed crop B. napus. One major QTL on BnaA9 contributed between 32 and 58% of the observed variation. This study is the first to assess homoeologous recombination and map associated QTLs resulting from deviations in normal pairing in allotetraploid B. napus. The identified QTL regions suggest candidate meiotic genes that could be manipulated in order to control this important trait and further allow the development of molecular markers to utilise this trait to exploit homoeologous recombination in a crop.

Homoeologous exchanges occur through intragenic recombination generating novel transcripts and proteins in wheat and other polyploids

Recombination between homeologous chromosomes, also known as homeologous exchange (HE), plays a significant role in shaping genome structure and gene expression in interspecific hybrids and allopolyploids of several plant species. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern HEs are not well understood. Here, we studied HE events in the progeny of a nascent allotetraploid (genome AADD) derived from two diploid progenitors of hexaploid bread wheat using cytological and whole-genome sequence analyses. In total, 37 HEs were identified and HE junctions were mapped precisely. HEs exhibit typical patterns of homologous recombination hotspots, being biased toward low-copy, subtelomeric regions of chromosome arms and showing association with known recombination hotspot motifs. But, strikingly, while homologous recombination preferentially takes place upstream and downstream of coding regions, HEs are highly enriched within gene bodies, giving rise to novel recombinant transcripts, which in turn are predicted to generate new protein fusion variants. To test whether this is a widespread phenomenon, a dataset of high-resolution HE junctions was analyzed for allopolyploid Brassica, rice, Arabidopsis suecica, banana, and peanut. Intragenic recombination and formation of chimeric genes was detected in HEs of all species and was prominent in most of them. HE thus provides a mechanism for evolutionary novelty in transcript and protein sequences in nascent allopolyploids.

Hexaploid sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) may not be a true type to either auto- or allopolyploid

To better define the sweetpotato polyploidy, we sought to reconstruct phylogenies of its subgenomes based on hybridization networks that could trace reticulate lineages of differentiated homoeolog triplets of multiple single-copy genes. In search of such homoeolog triplets, we distinguished cDNA variants of 811 single-copy Conserved Ortholog Set II (COSII) genes from two sweetpotato clones into variation partitions specified by corresponding homologs from two I. trifida lines, I. tenuissima and I. littoralis using a phylogenetic partition method, and amplicon variants of the COSII-marker regions from 729 of these genes from two sweetpotato clones into putative homoeoallele groups using haplotype tree and the partition methods referenced by corresponding homologs from I. tenuissima. These analyses revealed partly or completely differentiated expressed-homoeologs and homoeologs from a majority of these genes with three important features. 1. Two variation types: the predominant interspecific variations (homoeoalleles), which are non-randomly clustered, differentially interspecifically conserved or sweetpotato-specific, and the minor intraspecific ones (alleles), which are randomly distributed mostly at non-interspecifically variable sites, and usually sweetpotato-specific. 2. A clear differentiation of cDNA variants of many COSII genes into the variation partition specified by I. tenuissima or I. littoralis from that by I. trifida. 3. Three species-homolog-specified and one sweetpotato-specific variation partitions among 293 different COSII cDNAs, and two or three out of the four partitions among cDNA variants of 306 COSII genes. We then constructed hybridization networks from two concatenations of 16 and 4 alignments of 8 homologous COSII cDNA regions each, which included three taxa of expressed homoeologs in a triple-partition combination from the 16 or 4 sweetpotato COSII genes and 5 taxa each of respective cDNA homologs from the three sweetpotato relatives and I. nil, and inferred a species tree embodying both networks. The species tree predicted close-relative origins of three partly differentiated sweetpotato subgenomes.

Chromosome-Scale Assembly of Winter Oilseed Rape Brassica napus

Rapeseed (Brassica napus), the second most important oilseed crop globally, originated from an interspecific hybridization between B. rapa and B. oleracea. After this genome collision, B. napus underwent extensive genome restructuring, via homoeologous chromosome exchanges, resulting in widespread segmental deletions and duplications. Illicit pairing among genetically similar homoeologous chromosomes during meiosis is common in recent allopolyploids like B. napus, and post-polyploidization restructuring compounds the difficulties of assembling a complex polyploid plant genome. Specifically, genomic rearrangements between highly similar chromosomes are challenging to detect due to the limitation of sequencing read length and ambiguous alignment of reads. Recent advances in long read sequencing technologies provide promising new opportunities to unravel the genome complexities of B. napus by encompassing breakpoints of genomic rearrangements with high specificity. Moreover, recent evidence revealed ongoing genomic exchanges in natural B. napus, highlighting the need for multiple reference genomes to capture structural variants between accessions. Here we report the first long-read genome assembly of a winter B. napus cultivar. We sequenced the German winter oilseed rape accession 'Express 617' using 54.5x of long reads. Short reads, linked reads, optical map data and high-density genetic maps were used to further correct and scaffold the assembly to form pseudochromosomes. The assembled Express 617 genome provides another valuable resource for Brassica genomics in understanding the genetic consequences of polyploidization, crop domestication, and breeding of recently-formed crop species.

Chromosome-Scale Assembly of Winter Oilseed Rape Brassica napus

Rapeseed (Brassica napus), the second most important oilseed crop globally, originated from an interspecific hybridization between B. rapa and B. oleracea. After this genome collision, B. napus underwent extensive genome restructuring, via homoeologous chromosome exchanges, resulting in widespread segmental deletions and duplications. Illicit pairing among genetically similar homoeologous chromosomes during meiosis is common in recent allopolyploids like B. napus, and post-polyploidization restructuring compounds the difficulties of assembling a complex polyploid plant genome. Specifically, genomic rearrangements between highly similar chromosomes are challenging to detect due to the limitation of sequencing read length and ambiguous alignment of reads. Recent advances in long read sequencing technologies provide promising new opportunities to unravel the genome complexities of B. napus by encompassing breakpoints of genomic rearrangements with high specificity. Moreover, recent evidence revealed ongoing genomic exchanges in natural B. napus, highlighting the need for multiple reference genomes to capture structural variants between accessions. Here we report the first long-read genome assembly of a winter B. napus cultivar. We sequenced the German winter oilseed rape accession 'Express 617' using 54.5x of long reads. Short reads, linked reads, optical map data and high-density genetic maps were used to further correct and scaffold the assembly to form pseudochromosomes. The assembled Express 617 genome provides another valuable resource for Brassica genomics in understanding the genetic consequences of polyploidization, crop domestication, and breeding of recently-formed crop species.

Fine mapping of Brassica napus blackleg resistance gene Rlm1 through bulked segregant RNA sequencing

The fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans causes blackleg disease on canola and rapeseed (Brassica napus) in many parts of the world. A B. napus cultivar, ‘Quinta’, has been widely used for the classification of L. maculans into pathogenicity groups. In this study, we confirmed the presence of Rlm1 in a DH line (DH24288) derived from B. napus cultivar ‘Quinta’. Rlm1 was located on chromosome A07, between 13.07 to 22.11 Mb, using a BC₁ population made from crosses of F₁ plants of DH16516 (a susceptible line) x DH24288 with bulked segregant RNA Sequencing (BSR-Seq). Rlm1 was further fine mapped in a 100 kb region from 19.92 to 20.03 Mb in the BC₁ population consisting of 1247 plants and a F₂ population consisting of 3000 plants using SNP markers identified from BSR-Seq through Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP). A potential resistance gene, BnA07G27460D, was identified in this Rlm1 region. BnA07G27460D encodes a serine/threonine dual specificity protein kinase, catalytic domain and is homologous to STN7 in predicted genes of B. rapa and B. oleracea, and A. thaliana. Robust SNP markers associated with Rlm1 were developed, which can assist in introgression of Rlm1 and confirm the presence of Rlm1 gene in canola breeding programs.

Connecting genome structural variation with complex traits in crop plants

Structural genome variation is a major determinant of useful trait diversity. We describe how genome analysis methods are enabling discovery of trait-associated structural variants and their potential impact on breeding. As our understanding of complex crop genomes continues to grow, there is growing evidence that structural genome variation plays a major role in determining traits important for breeding and agriculture. Identifying the extent and impact of structural variants in crop genomes is becoming increasingly feasible with ongoing advances in the sophistication of genome sequencing technologies, particularly as it becomes easier to generate accurate long sequence reads on a genome-wide scale. In this article, we discuss the origins of structural genome variation in crops from ancient and recent genome duplication and polyploidization events and review high-throughput methods to assay such variants in crop populations in order to find associations with phenotypic traits. There is increasing evidence from such studies that gene presence-absence and copy number variation resulting from segmental chromosome exchanges may be at the heart of adaptive variation of crops to counter abiotic and biotic stress factors. We present examples from major crops that demonstrate the potential of pangenomic diversity as a key resource for future plant breeding for resilience and sustainability.

Detecting de Novo Homoeologous Recombination Events in Cultivated Brassica napus Using a Genome-Wide SNP Array

The heavy selection pressure due to intensive breeding of Brassica napus has created a narrow gene pool, limiting the ability to produce improved varieties through crosses between B. napus cultivars. One mechanism that has contributed to the adaptation of important agronomic traits in the allotetraploid B. napus has been chromosomal rearrangements resulting from homoeologous recombination between the constituent A and C diploid genomes. Determining the rate and distribution of such events in natural B. napus will assist efforts to understand and potentially manipulate this phenomenon. The Brassica high-density 60K SNP array, which provides genome-wide coverage for assessment of recombination events, was used to assay 254 individuals derived from 11 diverse cultivated spring type B. napus. These analyses identified reciprocal allele gain and loss between the A and C genomes and allowed visualization of de novo homoeologous recombination events across the B. napus genome. The events ranged from loss/gain of 0.09 Mb to entire chromosomes, with almost 5% aneuploidy observed across all gametes. There was a bias toward sub-telomeric exchanges leading to genome homogenization at chromosome termini. The A genome replaced the C genome in 66% of events, and also featured more dominantly in gain of whole chromosomes. These analyses indicate de novo homoeologous recombination is a continuous source of variation in established Brassica napus and the rate of observed events appears to vary with genetic background. The Brassica 60K SNP array will be a useful tool in further study and manipulation of this phenomenon.

Homoeologous exchange is a major cause of gene presence/absence variation in the amphidiploid Brassica napus

Homoeologous exchanges (HEs) have been shown to generate novel gene combinations and phenotypes in a range of polyploid species. Gene presence/absence variation (PAV) is also a major contributor to genetic diversity. In this study, we show that there is an association between these two events, particularly in recent Brassica napus synthetic accessions, and that these represent a novel source of genetic diversity, which can be captured for the improvement of this important crop species. By assembling the pangenome of B. napus, we show that 38% of the genes display PAV behaviour, with some of these variable genes predicted to be involved in important agronomic traits including flowering time, disease resistance, acyl lipid metabolism and glucosinolate metabolism. This study is a first and provides a detailed characterization of the association between HEs and PAVs in B. napus at the pangenome level.

Homoeologous exchanges cause extensive dosage-dependent gene expression changes in an allopolyploid crop

Structural variation is a major source of genetic diversity and an important substrate for selection. In allopolyploids, homoeologous exchanges (i.e. between the constituent subgenomes) are a very frequent type of structural variant. However, their direct impact on gene content and gene expression had not been determined. Here, we used a tissue-specific mRNA-Seq dataset to measure the consequences of homoeologous exchanges (HE) on gene expression in Brassica napus, a representative allotetraploid crop. We demonstrate that expression changes are proportional to the change in gene copy number triggered by the HEs. Thus, when homoeologous gene pairs have unbalanced transcriptional contributions before the HE, duplication of one copy does not accurately compensate for loss of the other and combined homoeologue expression also changes. These effects are, however, mitigated over time. This study sheds light on the origins, timing and functional consequences of homeologous exchanges in allopolyploids. It demonstrates that the interplay between new structural variation and the resulting impacts on gene expression, influences allopolyploid genome evolution.

The high-quality genome of Brassica napus cultivar 'ZS11' reveals the introgression history in semi-winter morphotype

Allotetraploid oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an agriculturally important crop. Cultivation and breeding of B. napus by humans has resulted in numerous genetically diverse morphotypes with optimized agronomic traits and ecophysiological adaptation. To further understand the genetic basis of diversification and adaptation, we report a draft genome of an Asian semi-winter oilseed rape cultivar 'ZS11' and its comprehensive genomic comparison with the genomes of the winter-type cultivar 'Darmor-bzh' as well as two progenitors. The integrated BAC-to-BAC and whole-genome shotgun sequencing strategies were effective in the assembly of repetitive regions (especially young long terminal repeats) and resulted in a high-quality genome assembly of B. napus 'ZS11'. Within a short evolutionary period (~6700 years ago), semi-winter-type 'ZS11' and the winter-type 'Darmor-bzh' maintained highly genomic collinearity. Even so, certain genetic differences were also detected in two morphotypes. Relative to 'Darmor-bzh', both two subgenomes of 'ZS11' are closely related to its progenitors, and the 'ZS11' genome harbored several specific segmental homoeologous exchanges (HEs). Furthermore, the semi-winter-type 'ZS11' underwent potential genomic introgressions with B. rapa (A_r ). Some of these genetic differences were associated with key agronomic traits. A key gene of A03.FLC3 regulating vernalization-responsive flowering time in 'ZS11' was first experienced HE, and then underwent genomic introgression event with A_r , which potentially has led to genetic differences in controlling vernalization in the semi-winter types. Our observations improved our understanding of the genetic diversity of different B. napus morphotypes and the cultivation history of semi-winter oilseed rape in Asia.

Mapping of homoeologous chromosome exchanges influencing quantitative trait variation in Brassica napus

Genomic rearrangements arising during polyploidization are an important source of genetic and phenotypic variation in the recent allopolyploid crop Brassica napus. Exchanges among homoeologous chromosomes, due to interhomoeologue pairing, and deletions without compensating homoeologous duplications are observed in both natural B. napus and synthetic B. napus. Rearrangements of large or small chromosome segments induce gene copy number variation (CNV) and can potentially cause phenotypic changes. Unfortunately, complex genome restructuring is difficult to deal with in linkage mapping studies. Here, we demonstrate how high-density genetic mapping with codominant, physically anchored SNP markers can detect segmental homoeologous exchanges (HE) as well as deletions and accurately link these to QTL. We validated rearrangements detected in genetic mapping data by whole-genome resequencing of parental lines along with cytogenetic analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization with bacterial artificial chromosome probes (BAC-FISH) coupled with PCR using primers specific to the rearranged region. Using a well-known QTL region influencing seed quality traits as an example, we confirmed that HE underlies the trait variation in a DH population involving a synthetic B. napus trait donor, and succeeded in narrowing the QTL to a small defined interval that enables delineation of key candidate genes.

Oilseed rape: learning about ancient and recent polyploid evolution from a recent crop species

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is one of our youngest crop species, arising several times under cultivation in the last few thousand years and completely unknown in the wild. Oilseed rape originated from hybridisation events between progenitor diploid species B. rapa and B. oleracea, both important vegetable species. The diploid progenitors are also ancient polyploids, with remnants of two previous polyploidisation events evident in the triplicated genome structure. This history of polyploid evolution and human agricultural selection makes B. napus an excellent model with which to investigate processes of genomic evolution and selection in polyploid crops. The ease of de novo interspecific hybridisation, responsiveness to tissue culture, and the close relationship of oilseed rape to the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, coupled with the recent availability of reference genome sequences and suites of molecular cytogenetic and high-throughput genotyping tools, allow detailed dissection of genetic, genomic and phenotypic interactions in this crop. In this review we discuss the past and present uses of B. napus as a model for polyploid speciation and evolution in crop species, along with current and developing analysis tools and resources. We further outline unanswered questions that may now be tractable to investigation.

DNA Sequence Evolution and Rare Homoeologous Conversion in Tetraploid Cotton

Allotetraploid cotton species are a vital source of spinnable fiber for textiles. The polyploid nature of the cotton genome raises many evolutionary questions as to the relationships between duplicated genomes. We describe the evolution of the cotton genome (SNPs and structural variants) with the greatly improved resolution of 34 deeply re-sequenced genomes. We also explore the evolution of homoeologous regions in the AT- and DT-genomes and especially the phenomenon of conversion between genomes. We did not find any compelling evidence for homoeologous conversion between genomes. These findings are very different from other recent reports of frequent conversion events between genomes. We also identified several distinct regions of the genome that have been introgressed between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, which presumably resulted from breeding efforts targeting associated beneficial alleles. Finally, the genotypic data resulting from this study provides access to a wealth of diversity sorely needed in the narrow germplasm of cotton cultivars.

Genetic control of immunity to Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) pathotype 1 in Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage)

Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is the major virus infecting crops of the genus Brassica worldwide. A dominant resistance gene, TuRB01b, that confers immunity to the virus isolate UK 1 (a representative pathotype 1 isolate of TuMV) on Brassica rapa was identified in the Chinese cabbage cultivar Tropical Delight. The TuRB01b locus was mapped to a 2.9-cM interval on B. rapa chromosome 6 (A6) that was flanked by RFLP markers pN101e1 and pW137e1. This mapping used a first backcross (B(1)) population segregating for the resistance gene at TuRB01b and sets of RFLP markers employed in previous mapping experiments in Brassica. Virus-plant interaction phenotypes were assayed in inbred progeny derived from B(1) individuals to allow different virus isolates to be tested. Comparative mapping confirmed that A6 of B. rapa was equivalent to chromosome 6 of Brassica napus (A6) and that the map position of TuRB01b in B. rapa could be identical to that of TuRB01 in B. napus. Detailed evaluation of plant-virus interactions showed that TuRB01 and TuRB01b had indistinguishable specificities to a range of TuMV isolates. The possibility that TuRB01 and TuRB01b represent similar or identical alleles at the same A genome resistance locus suggests that B. napus acquired TuRB01 from the B. rapa gene pool.

Identification and genetic characterization by high-throughput SNP analysis of intervarietal substitution lines of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) with enhanced embryogenic potential

Seven intervarietal substitution lines were identified with embryogenic potentials up to 40.4 times that of the recurrent parent, providing an ideal material for further in depth studies of this trait. To identify genomic regions that carry genetic factors controlling embryogenic potential of isolated microspores of rapeseed, marker segregations were analysed in a segregating population of haploid microspore-derived embryos and a BC1 population from a cross between 'Express 617' and 'RS239'. After map construction 15 intervarietal substitution lines from the same cross with 'Express 617' as recurrent parent were selected with donor segments covering five genomic regions that had shown skewed segregations in the population of microspore-derived embryos but not in the BC1 population. By comparing the embryogenic potential of microspores of the 15 substitution lines and 'Express 617', seven lines were identified with significantly enhanced embryogenic potential ranging from 4.1 to 40.4 times that of 'Express 617'. To improve the genetic characterization of the selected lines, they were subjected to a high-throughput SNP analysis using the Illumina Infinium 60K chip for rapeseed. Based on 7,960 mapped SNP markers, one to eight donor segments per line, which cover 0.64-6.79% of the 2,126.1 cM of the SNP map, were found. The SNP analysis also gave evidence that homoeologous exchanges had occurred during the development of the substitution line population, increasing the genetic diversity within this population. By comparing donor segments between lines with significantly enhanced embryogenic potential and non-significant lines, 12 genomic regions were identified that may contain genetic factors controlling embryogenic potential in rapeseed. These regions range in size from 0 (represented by just one marker) to 26.8 cM and cover together just 5.42% of the SNP map.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism identification and genotyping in Camelina sativa

Camelina sativa, a largely relict crop, has recently returned to interest due to its potential as an industrial oilseed. Molecular markers are key tools that will allow C. sativa to benefit from modern breeding approaches. Two complementary methodologies, capture of 3' cDNA tags and genomic reduced-representation libraries, both of which exploited second generation sequencing platforms, were used to develop a low density (768) Illumina GoldenGate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. The array allowed 533 SNP loci to be genetically mapped in a recombinant inbred population of C. sativa. Alignment of the SNP loci to the C. sativa genome identified the underlying sequenced regions that would delimit potential candidate genes in any mapping project. In addition, the SNP array was used to assess genetic variation among a collection of 175 accessions of C. sativa, identifying two sub-populations, yet low overall gene diversity. The SNP loci will provide useful tools for future crop improvement of C. sativa.

SNP markers-based map construction and genome-wide linkage analysis in Brassica napus

An Illumina Infinium array comprising 5306 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers was used to genotype 175 individuals of a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between Skipton and Ag-Spectrum, two Australian cultivars of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). A genetic linkage map based on 613 SNP and 228 non-SNP (DArT, SSR, SRAP and candidate gene markers) covering 2514.8 cM was constructed and further utilized to identify loci associated with flowering time and resistance to blackleg, a disease caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans. Comparison between genetic map positions of SNP markers and the sequenced Brassica rapa (A) and Brassica oleracea (C) genome scaffolds showed several genomic rearrangements in the B. napus genome. A major locus controlling resistance to L. maculans was identified at both seedling and adult plant stages on chromosome A07. QTL analyses revealed that up to 40.2% of genetic variation for flowering time was accounted for by loci having quantitative effects. Comparative mapping showed Arabidopsis and Brassica flowering genes such as Phytochrome A/D, Flowering Locus C and agamous-Like MADS box gene AGL1 map within marker intervals associated with flowering time in a DH population from Skipton/Ag-Spectrum. Genomic regions associated with flowering time and resistance to L. maculans had several SNP markers mapped within 10 cM. Our results suggest that SNP markers will be suitable for various applications such as trait introgression, comparative mapping and high-resolution mapping of loci in B. napus.

Plant genetics. Early allopolyploid evolution in the post-Neolithic Brassica napus oilseed genome

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) was formed ~7500 years ago by hybridization between B. rapa and B. oleracea, followed by chromosome doubling, a process known as allopolyploidy. Together with more ancient polyploidizations, this conferred an aggregate 72× genome multiplication since the origin of angiosperms and high gene content. We examined the B. napus genome and the consequences of its recent duplication. The constituent An and Cn subgenomes are engaged in subtle structural, functional, and epigenetic cross-talk, with abundant homeologous exchanges. Incipient gene loss and expression divergence have begun. Selection in B. napus oilseed types has accelerated the loss of glucosinolate genes, while preserving expansion of oil biosynthesis genes. These processes provide insights into allopolyploid evolution and its relationship with crop domestication and improvement.

A consensus map of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) based on diversity array technology markers: applications in genetic dissection of qualitative and quantitative traits

Background

Dense consensus genetic maps based on high-throughput genotyping platforms are valuable for making genetic gains in Brassica napus through quantitative trait locus identification, efficient predictive molecular breeding, and map-based gene cloning. This report describes the construction of the first B. napus consensus map consisting of a 1,359 anchored array based genotyping platform; Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT), and non-DArT markers from six populations originating from Australia, Canada, China and Europe. We aligned the B. napus DArT sequences with genomic scaffolds from Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea, and identified DArT loci that showed linkage with qualitative and quantitative loci associated with agronomic traits.

Results

The integrated consensus map covered a total of 1,987.2 cM and represented all 19 chromosomes of the A and C genomes, with an average map density of one marker per 1.46 cM, corresponding to approximately 0.88 Mbp of the haploid genome. Through in silico physical mapping 2,457 out of 3,072 (80%) DArT clones were assigned to the genomic scaffolds of B. rapa (A genome) and B. oleracea (C genome). These were used to orientate the genetic consensus map with the chromosomal sequences. The DArT markers showed linkage with previously identified non-DArT markers associated with qualitative and quantitative trait loci for plant architecture, phenological components, seed and oil quality attributes, boron efficiency, sucrose transport, male sterility, and race-specific resistance to blackleg disease.

Conclusions

The DArT markers provide increased marker density across the B. napus genome. Most of the DArT markers represented on the current array were sequenced and aligned with the B. rapa and B. oleracea genomes, providing insight into the Brassica A and C genomes. This information can be utilised for comparative genomics and genomic evolution studies. In summary, this consensus map can be used to (i) integrate new generation markers such as SNP arrays and next generation sequencing data; (ii) anchor physical maps to facilitate assembly of B. napus genome sequences; and (iii) identify candidate genes underlying natural genetic variation for traits of interest.

Conserved microstructure of the Brassica B Genome of Brassica nigra in relation to homologous regions of Arabidopsis thaliana, B. rapa and B. oleracea

BACKGROUND

The Brassica B genome is known to carry several important traits, yet there has been limited analyses of its underlying genome structure, especially in comparison to the closely related A and C genomes. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of Brassica nigra was developed and screened with 17 genes from a 222 kb region of A. thaliana that had been well characterised in both the Brassica A and C genomes.

RESULTS

Fingerprinting of 483 apparently non-redundant clones defined physical contigs for the corresponding regions in B. nigra. The target region is duplicated in A. thaliana and six homologous contigs were found in B. nigra resulting from the whole genome triplication event shared by the Brassiceae tribe. BACs representative of each region were sequenced to elucidate the level of microscale rearrangements across the Brassica species divide.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the B genome species separated from the A/C lineage some 6 Mya, comparisons between the three paleopolyploid Brassica genomes revealed extensive conservation of gene content and sequence identity. The level of fractionation or gene loss varied across genomes and genomic regions; however, the greatest loss of genes was observed to be common to all three genomes. One large-scale chromosomal rearrangement differentiated the B genome suggesting such events could contribute to the lack of recombination observed between B genome species and those of the closely related A/C lineage.

Identification and mapping of a novel blackleg resistance locus LepR4 in the progenies from Brassica napus × B. rapa subsp. sylvestris

Blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is one of the most economically important diseases of Brassica napus worldwide. Two blackleg-resistant lines, 16S and 61446, were developed through interspecific hybridization between B. napus and B. rapa subsp. sylvestris and backcrossing to B. napus. Classical genetic analysis demonstrated that a single recessive gene in both lines conferred resistance to L. maculans and that the resistance alleles were allelic. Using BC(1) progeny derived from each resistant plant, this locus was mapped to B. napus linkage group N6 and was flanked by microsatellite markers sN2189b and sORH72a in an interval of about 10 cM, in a region equivalent to about 6 Mb of B. rapa DNA sequence. This new resistance gene locus was designated as LepR4. The two lines were evaluated for resistance to a wide range of L. maculans isolates using cotyledon inoculation tests under controlled environment conditions, and for stem canker resistance in blackleg field nurseries. Results indicated that line 16S, carrying LepR4a, was highly resistant to all isolates tested on cotyledons and had a high level of stem canker resistance under field conditions. Line 61446, carrying LepR4b, was only resistant to some of the isolates tested on cotyledons and was weakly resistant to stem canker under field conditions.

The construction of a substitution library of recombinant backcross lines in Brassica oleracea for the precision mapping of quantitative trait loci

The currently available methods for locating quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and measuring their effects in segregating populations lack precision unless individual QTLs have very high heritabilities. The use of recombinant backcross lines containing short regions of donor chromosome introgressed into a constant recipient background permits QTLs to be located with greater precision. The present paper describes the use of molecular markers to introgress defined short regions of chromosome from a donor doubled haploid calabrese line of Brassica oleracea (var. italica) into a recipient short generation variety (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra). We demonstrate that in just two or three generations of backcrossing, combined with selection for mapped molecular markers, the generation of a library of recombinant backcross lines is feasible. The possible use and refinement of these lines are discussed. Key words : backcrossing, Brassica oleracea, introgression, molecular markers, near-isogenic lines, QTL mapping, recombinant backcross lines, substitution lines.

Conserved patterns of chromosome pairing and recombination in Brassica napus crosses

The patterns of chromosome pairing and recombination in two contrasting Brassica napus F1 hybrids were deduced. One hybrid was from a winter oilseed rape (WOSR) x spring oilseed rape cross, the other from a resynthesized B. napus x WOSR cross. Segregation at 211 equivalent loci assayed in the population derived from each hybrid produced two collinear genetic maps. Alignment of the maps indicated that B. napus chromosomes behaved reproducibly as 19 homologous pairs and that the 19 distinct chromosomes of B. napus each recombined with unique chromosomes from the interspecific hybrid between Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea. This result indicated that the genomes of the diploid progenitors of amphidiploid B. napus have remained essentially unaltered since the formation of the species and that the progenitor genomes were similar to those of modern-day B. rapa and B. oleracea. The frequency and distribution of crossovers were almost indistinguishable in the two populations, suggesting that the recombination machinery of B. napus could cope easily with different degrees of genetic divergence between homologous chromosomes. Efficient recombination in wide crosses will facilitate the introgression of novel alleles into oilseed rape from B. rapa and B. oleracea (via resynthesized B. napus) and reduce linkage drag.

Identification of the A and C genomes of amphidiploid Brassica napus (oilseed rape)

A genetic linkage map consisting of 399 RFLP-defined loci was generated from a cross between resynthesized Brassica napus (an interspecific B. rapa x B. oleracea hybrid) and "natural" oilseed rape. The majority of loci exhibited disomic inheritance of parental alleles demonstrating that B. rapa chromosomes were each pairing exclusively with recognisable A-genome homologues in B. napus and that B. oleracea chromosomes were pairing similarly with C-genome homologues. This behaviour identified the 10 A genome and 9 C genome linkage groups of B. napus and demonstrated that the nuclear genomes of B. napus, B. rapa, and B. oleracea have remained essentially unaltered since the formation of the amphidiploid species, B. napus. A range of unusual marker patterns, which could be explained by aneuploidy and nonreciprocal translocations, were observed in the mapping population. These chromosome abnormalities were probably caused by associations between homoeologous chromosomes at meiosis in the resynthesized parent and the F1 plant leading to nondisjunction and homoeologous recombination.

Indistinguishable patterns of recombination resulting from male and female meioses in Brassica napus (oilseed rape)

An F1 individual derived from a cross between two distinct lines of spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus) was used to produce a pair of complementary backcross populations, each consisting of 90 individuals. The F1 donated male gametes to the Male population and female gametes to the Female population. Genetic maps were generated from both populations and aligned using 117 common loci to form an integrated genome map of B. napus with 243 RFLP-defined loci. A comparison of the frequency and distribution of crossovers in the two populations of F1 gametes (assayed in the Male and Female populations) detected no differences. The genetic maps derived from the Male and Female populations each consisted of 19 linkage groups spanning 1544 and 1577 cM, respectively. The maps were aligned with other B. napus maps, and all 19 equivalent linkage groups were unambiguously assigned. The genetic size and general organisation of the new maps were comparable with those of pre-existing B. napus maps in most respects, except that the levels of polymorphism in the constituent A and C genomes were unusually similar in the new cross.

Assigning Brassica microsatellite markers to the nine C-genome chromosomes using Brassica rapa var. trilocularis-B. oleracea var. alboglabra monosomic alien addition lines

Brassica rapa var. trilocularis-B. oleracea var. alboglabra monosomic alien addition lines (MAALs) were used to assign simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to the nine C-genome chromosomes. A total of 64 SSR markers specific to single C-chromosomes were identified. The number of specific markers for each chromosome varied from two (C3) to ten (C4, C7 and C9), where the designation of the chromosomes was according to Cheng et al. (Genome 38:313-319, 1995). Seventeen additional SSRs, which were duplicated on 2-5 C-chromosomes, were also identified. Using the SSR markers assigned to the previously developed eight MAALs and recently obtained aneuploid plants, a new Brassica rapa-B. oleracea var. alboglabra MAAL carrying the alien chromosome C7 was identified and developed. The application of reported genetically mapped SSR markers on the nine MAALs contributed to the determination of the correspondence between numerical C-genome cytological (Cheng et al. in Genome 38:313-319, 1995) and linkage group designations. This correspondence facilitates the integration of C-genome genetic information that has been generated based on the two designation systems and accordingly increases our knowledge about each chromosome. The present study is a significant contribution to genetic linkage analysis of SSR markers and important agronomic traits in B. oleracea and to the potential use of the MAALs in plant breeding.

Molecular mapping of qualitative and quantitative loci for resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans causing blackleg disease in canola (Brassica napus L.)

Blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is one of the most important diseases of oilseed and vegetable crucifiers worldwide. The present study describes (1) the construction of a genetic linkage map, comprising 255 markers, based upon simple sequence repeats (SSR), sequence-related amplified polymorphism, sequence tagged sites, and EST-SSRs and (2) the localization of qualitative (race-specific) and quantitative (race non-specific) trait loci controlling blackleg resistance in a doubled-haploid population derived from the Australian canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars Skipton and Ag-Spectrum using the whole-genome average interval mapping approach. Marker regression analyses revealed that at least 14 genomic regions with LOD ≥ 2.0 were associated with qualitative and quantitative blackleg resistance, explaining 4.6-88.9 % of genotypic variation. A major qualitative locus, designated RlmSkipton (Rlm4), was mapped on chromosome A7, within 0.8 cM of the SSR marker Xbrms075. Alignment of the molecular markers underlying this QTL region with the genome sequence data of B. rapa L. suggests that RlmSkipton is located approximately 80 kb from the Xbrms075 locus. Molecular marker-RlmSkipton linkage was further validated in an F(2) population from Skipton/Ag-Spectrum. Our results show that SSR markers linked to consistent genomic regions are suitable for enrichment of favourable alleles for blackleg resistance in canola breeding programs.

Functional alleles of the flowering time regulator FRIGIDA in the Brassica oleracea genome

BACKGROUND

Plants adopt different reproductive strategies as an adaptation to growth in a range of climates. In Arabidopsis thaliana FRIGIDA (FRI) confers a vernalization requirement and thus winter annual habit by increasing the expression of the MADS box transcriptional repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Variation at FRI plays a major role in A. thaliana life history strategy, as independent loss-of-function alleles that result in a rapid-cycling habit in different accessions, appear to have evolved many times. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize orthologues of FRI in Brassica oleracea.

RESULTS

We describe the characterization of FRI from Brassica oleracea and identify the two B. oleracea FRI orthologues (BolC.FRI.a and BolC.FRI.b). These show extensive amino acid conservation in the central and C-terminal regions to FRI from other Brassicaceae, including A. thaliana, but have a diverged N-terminus. The genes map to two of the three regions of B. oleracea chromosomes syntenic to part of A. thaliana chromosome 5 suggesting that one of the FRI copies has been lost since the ancient triplication event that formed the B. oleracea genome. This genomic position is not syntenic with FRI in A. thaliana and comparative analysis revealed a recombination event within the A. thaliana FRI promoter. This relocated A. thaliana FRI to chromosome 4, very close to the nucleolar organizer region, leaving a fragment of FRI in the syntenic location on A. thaliana chromosome 5. Our data show this rearrangement occurred after the divergence from A. lyrata. We explored the allelic variation at BolC.FRI.a within cultivated B. oleracea germplasm and identified two major alleles, which appear equally functional both to each other and A. thaliana FRI, when expressed as fusions in A. thaliana.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify the two Brassica oleracea FRI genes, one of which we show through A. thaliana complementation experiments is functional, and show their genomic location is not syntenic with A. thaliana FRI due to an ancient recombination event. This has complicated previous association analyses of FRI with variation in life history strategy in the Brassica genus.

Genetic mapping of the Leptosphaeria maculans avirulence gene corresponding to the LepR1 resistance gene of Brassica napus

AvrLepR1 of the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans is the avirulence gene that corresponds to Brassica LepR1, a plant gene controlling dominant, race-specific resistance to this pathogen. An in vitro cross between the virulent L. maculans isolate, 87-41, and the avirulent isolate, 99-56, was performed in order to map the AvrLepR1 gene. The disease reactions of the 94 of the resulting F(1) progenies were tested on the canola line ddm-12-6s-1, which carries LepR1. There were 44 avirulent progenies and 50 virulent progenies suggesting a 1:1 segregation ratio and that the avirulence of 99-56 on ddm-12-6s-1 is controlled by a single gene. Tetrad analysis also indicated a 1:1 segregation ratio. The AvrLepR1 gene was positioned on a genetic map of L. maculans relative to 259 sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers, two cloned avirulence genes (AvrLm1 and AvrLm4-7) and the mating type locus (MAT1). The genetic map consisted of 36 linkage groups, ranging in size from 13.1 to 163.7 cM, and spanned a total of 2,076.4 cM. The AvrLepR1 locus was mapped to linkage group 4, in the 13.1 cM interval flanked by the SRAP markers SBG49-110 and FT161-223. The AvrLm4-7 locus was also positioned on linkage group 4, close to but distinct from the AvrLepR1 locus, in the 5.4 cM interval flanked by FT161-223 and P1314-300. This work will make possible the further characterization and map-based cloning of AvrLepR1. A combination of genetic mapping and pathogenicity tests demonstrated that AvrLepR1 is different from each of the L. maculans avirulence genes that have been characterized previously.

A new broccoli × broccoli immortal mapping population and framework genetic map: tools for breeders and complex trait analysis

A unique broccoli × broccoli doubled haploid (DH) population has been created from the F(1) of a cross between two DH broccoli lines derived from cultivars Green Duke and Marathon. We genotyped 154 individuals from this population with simple sequence repeat and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers to create a B. oleracea L. var. italica 'intra-crop' specific framework linkage map. The map is composed of nine linkage groups with a total length of 946.7 cM. Previous published B. oleracea maps have been constructed using diverse crosses between morphotypes of B. oleracea; this map therefore represents a useful breeding resource for the dissection of broccoli specific traits. Phenotype data have been collected from the population over five growing seasons; the framework linkage map has been used to locate quantitative trait loci for agronomically important broccoli traits including head weight (saleable yield), head diameter, stalk diameter, weight loss and relative weight loss during storage, as well as traits for broccoli leaf architecture. This population and associated linkage map will aid breeders to directly map agronomically important traits for the improvement of elite broccoli cultivars.

De novo genetic variation associated with retrotransposon activation, genomic rearrangements and trait variation in a recombinant inbred line population of Brassica napus derived from interspecific hybridization with Brassica rapa

Interspecific hybridization is a significant evolutionary force as well as a powerful method for crop breeding. Partial substitution of the AA subgenome in Brassica napus (A(n) A(n) C(n) C(n) ) with the Brassica rapa (A(r) A(r) ) genome by two rounds of interspecific hybridization resulted in a new introgressed type of B. napus (A(r) A(r) C(n) C(n) ). In this study, we construct a population of recombinant inbred lines of the new introgressed type of B. napus. Microsatellite, intron-based and retrotransposon markers were used to characterize this experimental population with genetic mapping, genetic map comparison and specific marker cloning analysis. Yield-related traits were also recorded for identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). A remarkable range of novel genomic alterations was observed in the population, including simple sequence repeat (SSR) mutations, chromosomal rearrangements and retrotransposon activations. Most of these changes occurred immediately after interspecific hybridization, in the early stages of genome stabilization and derivation of experimental lines. These novel genomic alterations affected yield-related traits in the introgressed B. napus to an even greater extent than the alleles alone that were introgressed from the A(r) subgenome of B. rapa, suggesting that genomic changes induced by interspecific hybridization are highly significant in both genome evolution and crop improvement.

Characterization of Brassica nigra collections using simple sequence repeat markers reveals distinct groups associated with geographical location, and frequent mislabelling of species identity

Genetic diversity of 180 Brassica nigra (L.) Kochgenotypes from 60 different accessions was evaluated using 15 simple sequence repeat markers with known locations on the Brassica A, B, and C genomes. Two lines each from Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Brassica carinata Braunwere also included as comparator species. A total of 218 high quality alleles were used to generate a genetic distance matrix, and clustering and multidimensional scaling analyses were used to investigate genetic relationships among the accessions. Accessions from the same country of origin tended to cluster together. Surprisingly, 13 accessions declared to be B. nigra had A- and B-genome alleles and morphology consistent with them being B. juncea, which was supported by their positioning near B. juncea in the cluster analysis. Two B. nigra accessions possessed alleles associated more closely with the A genome than the B genome, and these may be Brassica rapa L. accessions. One B. nigra accession had B- and C-genome alleles and morphology consistent with it being B. carinata. The remaining 44 accessions (73%) appeared to be truly B. nigra and formed morphologically and genetically distinct groups associated with country or region of origin, notably Ethiopia, Israel, India, and Europe. Most B. nigra accessions were highly heterozygous, consistent with their obligate outcrossing habit. This study demonstrated the value of using molecular markers with known genome locations (in this case, in the Brassica A, B, and C genomes) to confirm species identity in families such as Brassicaceae where species identification based solely on morphological characters is difficult.

Integration of linkage maps for the Amphidiploid Brassica napus and comparative mapping with Arabidopsis and Brassica rapa

BACKGROUND

The large number of genetic linkage maps representing Brassica chromosomes constitute a potential platform for studying crop traits and genome evolution within Brassicaceae. However, the alignment of existing maps remains a major challenge. The integration of these genetic maps will enhance genetic resolution, and provide a means to navigate between sequence-tagged loci, and with contiguous genome sequences as these become available.

RESULTS

We report the first genome-wide integration of Brassica maps based on an automated pipeline which involved collation of genome-wide genotype data for sequence-tagged markers scored on three extensively used amphidiploid Brassica napus (2n = 38) populations. Representative markers were selected from consolidated maps for each population, and skeleton bin maps were generated. The skeleton maps for the three populations were then combined to generate an integrated map for each LG, comparing two different approaches, one encapsulated in JoinMap and the other in MergeMap. The BnaWAIT_01_2010a integrated genetic map was generated using JoinMap, and includes 5,162 genetic markers mapped onto 2,196 loci, with a total genetic length of 1,792 cM. The map density of one locus every 0.82 cM, corresponding to 515 Kbp, increases by at least three-fold the locus and marker density within the original maps. Within the B. napus integrated map we identified 103 conserved collinearity blocks relative to Arabidopsis, including five previously unreported blocks. The BnaWAIT_01_2010a map was used to investigate the integrity and conservation of order proposed for genome sequence scaffolds generated from the constituent A genome of Brassica rapa.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide a comprehensive genetic integration of the B. napus genome from a range of sources, which we anticipate will provide valuable information for rapeseed and Canola research.

The mosaic of ancestral karyotype blocks in the Sinapis alba L. genome

The organisation of the Sinapis alba genome, comprising 12 linkage groups (n = 12), was compared with the Brassicaceae ancestral karyotype (AK) genomic blocks previously described in other crucifer species. Most of the S. alba genome falls into conserved triplicated genomic blocks that closely match the AK-defined genomic blocks found in other crucifer species including the A, B, and C genomes of closely related Brassica species. In one instance, an S. alba linkage group (S05) was completely collinear with one AK chromosome (AK1), the first time this has been observed in a member of the Brassiceae tribe. However, as observed for other members of the Brassiceae tribe, ancestral genomic blocks were fragmented in the S. alba genome, supporting previously reported comparative chromosome painting describing rearrangements of the AK karyotype prior to the divergence of the Brassiceae from other crucifers. The presented data also refute previous phylogenetic reports that suggest S. alba was more closely related to Brassica nigra (B genome) than to B. rapa (A genome) and B. oleracea (C genome). A comparison of the S. alba and Arabidopsis thaliana genomes revealed many regions of conserved gene order, which will facilitate access to the rich genomic resources available in the model species A. thaliana for genetic research in the less well-resourced crop species S. alba.

Analysis of B-genome chromosome introgression in interspecific hybrids of Brassica napus × B. carinata

Brassica carinata, an allotetraploid with B and C genomes, has a number of traits that would be valuable to introgress into B. napus. Interspecific hybrids were created between B. carinata (BBCC) and B. napus (AACC), using an advanced backcross approach to identify and introgress traits of agronomic interest from the B. carinata genome and to study the genetic changes that occur during the introgression process. We mapped the B and C genomes of B. carinata with SSR markers and observed their introgression into B. napus through a number of backcross generations, focusing on a BC(3) and BC(3)S(1) sibling family. There was close colinearity between the C genomes of B. carinata and B. napus and we provide evidence that B. carinata C chromosomes pair and recombine normally with those of B. napus, suggesting that similar to other Brassica allotetraploids no major chromosomal rearrangements have taken place since the formation of B. carinata. There was no evidence of introgression of the B chromosomes into the A or C chromosomes of B. napus; instead they were inherited as whole linkage groups with the occasional loss of terminal segments and several of the B-genome chromosomes were retained across generations. Several BC(3)S(1) families were analyzed using SSR markers, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) assays, and chromosome counts to study the inheritance of the B-genome chromosome(s) and their association with morphological traits. Our work provides an analysis of the behavior of chromosomes in an interspecific cross and reinforces the challenges of introgressing novel traits into crop plants.

Introgression of B-genome chromosomes in a doubled haploid population of Brassica napus x B. carinata

The Brassica B-genome species possess many valuable agronomic and disease resistance traits. To transfer traits from the B genome of B. carinata into B. napus, an interspecific cross between B. napus and B. carinata was performed and a doubled haploid (DH) population was generated from the BC2S3 generation. Successful production of interspecific DH lines as identified using B-genome microsatellite markers is reported. Five percent of DH lines carry either intact B-genome chromosomes or chromosomes that have deletions. All of the DH lines have linkage group J13/B7 in common. This was further confirmed using B. nigra genomic DNA in a fluorescent in situ hybridization assay where the B-genome chromosomes were visualized and distinguished from the A- and C-genome chromosomes. The 60 DH lines were also evaluated for morphological traits in the field for two seasons and were tested for resistance to blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, under greenhouse conditions. Variation in the DH population followed a normal distribution for several agronomic traits and response to blackleg. The lines with B-genome chromosomes were significantly different (p < 0.01) from the lines without B-genome chromosomes for both morphological and seed quality traits such as days to flowering, days to maturity, and erucic acid content.

Synthesis of a Brassica trigenomic allohexaploid (B. carinata × B. rapa) de novo and its stability in subsequent generations

Allopolyploidy plays an important role in plant evolution and confers obvious advantages on crop growth and breeding compared to low ploidy levels. The present investigation was aimed at synthesising the first known chromosomally stable hexaploid Brassica with the genome constitution AABBCC. More than 2,000 putative hexaploid plants were obtained through large-scale hybridisation from various combinations of crosses between different cultivars of Brassica carinata (BBCC) and B. rapa (AA). The majority of plants after two generations of selfing within selected hexaploid plants (H(2)) were aneuploid, and only 80 plants (4.6%) had the expected hexaploid chromosome number (2n = 54). The hexaploid ratio increased to an average of 23.0 and 26.3% in the H(3) and H(4) generations, respectively, and was accompanied by an increase in pollen fertility. The appearance of aneuploid plants in each generation could be detected having various chromosomal abnormalities at meiosis. The frequency of hexaploid plants varied significantly among different cultivar combinations, from 0 to 56% in the H(4) generation, and it showed a positive correlation with pollen fertility. The frequency of SSR allelic fragments lost or novel alleles gained was significantly lower in H(4) than in H(2) and H(3), which reflects increasing genome stability in H(4). The A and C genomes were significantly less stable than the B genome, which may mainly result from frequent homoeologous pairing and rearrangements between the A and C genomes. Methods to establish a stable hexaploid Brassica crop by intercrossing these lines followed by intensive selection are also discussed.

Karyotype and identification of all homoeologous chromosomes of allopolyploid Brassica napus and its diploid progenitors

Investigating recombination of homoeologous chromosomes in allopolyploid species is central to understanding plant breeding and evolution. However, examining chromosome pairing in the allotetraploid Brassica napus has been hampered by the lack of chromosome-specific molecular probes. In this study, we establish the identification of all homoeologous chromosomes of allopolyploid B. napus by using robust molecular cytogenetic karyotypes developed for the progenitor species Brassica rapa (A genome) and Brassica oleracea (C genome). The identification of every chromosome among these three Brassica species utilized genetically mapped bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from B. rapa as probes for fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). With this BAC-FISH data, a second karyotype was developed using two BACs that contained repetitive DNA sequences and the ubiquitous ribosomal and pericentromere repeats. Using this diagnostic probe mix and a BAC that contained a C-genome repeat in two successive hybridizations allowed for routine identification of the corresponding homoeologous chromosomes between the A and C genomes of B. napus. When applied to the B. napus cultivar Stellar, we detected one chromosomal rearrangement relative to the parental karyotypes. This robust novel chromosomal painting technique will have biological applications for the understanding of chromosome pairing, homoeologous recombination, and genome evolution in the genus Brassica and will facilitate new applied breeding technologies that rely upon identification of chromosomes.

Repeated polyploidy drove different levels of crossover suppression between homoeologous chromosomes in Brassica napus allohaploids

Allopolyploid species contain more than two sets of related chromosomes (homoeologs) that must be sorted during meiosis to ensure fertility. As polyploid species usually have multiple origins, one intriguing, yet largely underexplored, question is whether different mechanisms suppressing crossovers between homoeologs may coexist within the same polyphyletic species. We addressed this question using Brassica napus, a young polyphyletic allopolyploid species. We first analyzed the meiotic behavior of 363 allohaploids produced from 29 accessions, which represent a large part of B. napus genetic diversity. Two main clear-cut meiotic phenotypes were observed, encompassing a twofold difference in the number of univalents at metaphase I. We then sequenced two chloroplast intergenic regions to gain insight into the maternal origins of the same 29 accessions; only two plastid haplotypes were found, and these correlated with the dichotomy of meiotic phenotypes. Finally, we analyzed genetic diversity at the PrBn locus, which was shown to determine meiotic behavior in a segregating population of B. napus allohaploids. We observed that segregation of two alleles at PrBn could adequately explain a large part of the variation in meiotic behavior found among B. napus allohaploids. Overall, our results suggest that repeated polyploidy resulted in different levels of crossover suppression between homoeologs in B. napus allohaploids.

Development of molecular markers and linkage maps for the Carthamus species C. tinctorius and C. oxyacanthus

A set of SSR and RFLP markers for safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius ) and jeweled distaff thistle ( C. oxyacanthus ) was generated from cDNA and genomic libraries and by mining public and proprietary sequence databases. In total, 1412 PCR-based markers and 75 RFLP markers were screened and polymorphic loci were mapped in an intraspecific F2 population of C. tinctorius and an interspecific BC1 population of C. tinctorius × C. oxyacanthus. The two populations shared one common parent and the resulting linkage maps could be compared for synteny. The level of polymorphism was low in both populations and only 8.2% and 13.7% of the analyzed markers could be mapped in the intraspecific and interspecific maps, respectively. The two maps showed significant colinearity of markers in several regions and an apparent translocation or inversion event on one linkage group. Noticeable segregation distortion was found on one linkage group of the C. tinctorius map and dense clustering of loci occurred on several linkage groups of the C. oxyacanthus map. The two maps represent the first major linkage analysis of Carthamus species. The molecular tools will be useful for a variety of genetic and genomic applications in safflower and its related species and have been used in our laboratory to map a flower color gene in C. tinctorius.

Homoeologous recombination in allopolyploids: the polyploid ratchet

Polyploidization and recombination are two important processes driving evolution through the building and reshaping of genomes. Allopolyploids arise from hybridization and chromosome doubling among distinct, yet related species. Polyploids may display novel variation relative to their progenitors, and the sources of this variation lie not only in the acquisition of extra gene dosages, but also in the genomic changes that occur after divergent genomes unite. Genomic changes (deletions, duplications, and translocations) have been detected in both recently formed natural polyploids and resynthesized polyploids. In resynthesized Brassica napus allopolyploids, there is evidence that many genetic changes are the consequence of homoeologous recombination. Homoeologous recombination can generate novel gene combinations and phenotypes, but may also destabilize the karyotype and lead to aberrant meiotic behavior and reduced fertility. Thus, natural selection plays a role in the establishment and maintenance of fertile natural allopolyploids that have stabilized chromosome inheritance and a few advantageous chromosomal rearrangements. We discuss the evidence for genome rearrangements that result from homoeologous recombination in resynthesized B. napus and how these observations may inform phenomena such as chromosome replacement, aneuploidy, non-reciprocal translocations and gene conversion seen in other polyploids.