Berkman, P.J., Visendi, P., Lee, H.C., Stiller, J., Manoli, S., Lorenc, M.T., Lai, K., Batley, J., Fleury, D., Šimková, H., Kubaláková, M., Weining, S., Doležel, J., Edwards, D.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
11:
564-571,
2013
Keywords:
Triticum aestivum, genome sequencing, evolution
Abstract:
Despite the international significance of wheat, its large and complex genome hinders genome
sequencing efforts. To assess the impact of selection on this genome, we have assembled
genomic regions representing genes for chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D. We demonstrate that the
dispersion of wheat to new environments has shaped the modern wheat genome. Most genes
are conserved between the three homoeologous chromosomes. We found differential gene loss
that supports current theories on the evolution of wheat, with greater loss observed in the A and
B genomes compared with the D. Analysis of intervarietal polymorphisms identified fewer
polymorphisms in the D genome, supporting the hypothesis of early gene flow between the
tetraploid and hexaploid. The enrichment for genes on the D genome that confer environmental
adaptation may be associated with dispersion following wheat domestication. Our results
demonstrate the value of applying next-generation sequencing technologies to assemble generich
regions of complex genomes and investigate polyploid genome evolution. We anticipate the
genome-wide application of this reduced-complexity syntenic assembly approach will accelerate
crop improvement efforts not only in wheat, but also in other polyploid crops of significance.
Fulltext: contact IEB authors
IEB authors: Jaroslav Doležel,
Marie Kubaláková,
Hana Šimková
