Unlocking the barley genome by chromosomal and comparative genomics

Mayer, K.F.X., Martis, M., Hedley, P.E., Šimková, H., Liu, H., Morris, J.A., Steuernagel, B., Taudien, S., Roessner, S., Gundlach, H., Kubaláková, M., Suchánková, P.,Murat, F., Felder, M., Nussbaumer, T., Graner, A., Salse, J., Endo, T.R., Sakai, H., Tanaka, T., Itoh, T., Sato, K., Platzer, M., Matsumoto, T., Scholz, U., Doležel, J., Waugh, R., Stein, N.
PLANT CELL 23: 1249-1263, 2011

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Abstract: We used a novel approach that incorporated chromosome sorting, next-generation sequencing, array hybridization, and systematic exploitation of conserved synteny with model grasses to assign ;86% of the estimated ;32,000 barley (Hordeum vulgare) genes to individual chromosome arms. Using a series of bioinformatically constructed genome zippers that integrate gene indices of rice (Oryza sativa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and Brachypodium distachyon in a conserved synteny model, we were able to assemble 21,766 barley genes in a putative linear order. We show that the barley (H) genome displays a mosaic of structural similarity to hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) A, B, and D subgenomes and that orthologous genes in different grasses exhibit signatures of positive selection in different lineages. We present an ordered, information-rich scaffold of the barley genome that provides a valuable and robust framework for the development of novel strategies in cereal breeding.
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IEB authors: Jaroslav Doležel, Marie Kubaláková, Hana Šimková, Pavla Suchánková