Molecular characterization of the Glu-Ay gene from Triticum urartu for its potential use in quality wheat breeding

摘要

Triticum urartu Thum. ex Gandil. is a wild species identified as A-genome donor for polyploid wheats, which could be used as gene source for wheat breeding. The high-molecular weight glutenin subunits are endosperm storage proteins that are associated with bread-making quality. In T. urartu, these proteins are encoded by the Ax and Ay genes at the Glu-A(u)1 locus. The Ay gene of 17 Glu-A(u)1 allelic variants previously detected in this species has been analysed using PCR amplification and digestion of the PCR products with two endonucleases (Dde I and Pst I). The combination of two restriction patterns has revealed variations between the active and inactive alleles, and within each type. This variation, especially that detected among the active alleles, could enlarge the high-quality genetic pool of modern wheat and be used for bread-making quality improvement in durum and common wheat.