Discovery of a new fragrance allele and the development of functional markers for the breeding of fragrant rice varieties

The recessive fgr gene on chromosome 8 is associated with rice fragrance. It has been reported that this gene is a non-functional badh2 allele and that the functional Badh2 allele encoding putative betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH2) could render rice non-fragrant. Here we report the discovery of a new badh2 allele and the development of functional markers for the badh2 locus. A total of 24 fragrant and ten non-fragrant rice varieties were studied and sequenced for their Badh2/badh2 loci. Of the 24 fragrant rice varieties, 12 were found to have the known badh2 allele (badh2-E7), which has an 8-bp deletion and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 7; the others had a novel null badh2 allele (badh2-E2), which has a sequence identical to that of the Badh2 allele in exon 7, but with a 7-bp deletion in exon 2. Both null badh2 alleles are responsible for rice fragrance. Based on sequence divergence amongst the functional Badh2 and two null badh2 alleles, we developed functional markers which can be easily used to distinguish non-fragrant from fragrant rice and to differentiate between two kinds of fragrant rice. These functional markers will find their usefulness in breeding for fragrant rice varieties via marker-assisted selection. Weiwei Shi and Yi Yang contributed equally to this work.     

Identification of microsatellite markers for fragrance in rice by analysis of the rice genome sequence

Several chemical constituents are important to the fragrance of cooked rice. However, the chemical compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (AP) is regarded as the most important component of fragrance in the basmati- and jasmine-style fragrant rices. AP is found in all parts of the plant except the roots. It is believed that a single recessive gene is responsible for the production of fragrance in most rice plants. The detection of fragrance can be carried out via sensory or chemical methods, although each has their disadvantages. To overcome these difficulties, we have identified an (AT)₄₀ repeat microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker for fragrant and non-fragrant alleles of the fgr gene. Identification of this marker was facilitated through use of both the publicly available and restricted access sequence information of the Monsanto rice sequence databases. Fifty F₂ individuals from a mapping population were genotyped for the polymorphic marker. This marker has a high polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.9). Other SSR markers linked to fragrance could be identified in the same way of use in other populations. This study demonstrates that analysis of the rice genome sequence is an effective option for identification of markers for use in rice improvement.     

Identification of a new fragrance allele in soybean and development of its functional marker

We have previously reported an association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 10 of GmBADH2 gene and fragrance in vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar Kaori. The SNP causes amino acid substitution in a highly conserved motif of GmBADH2 protein, which is necessary for functional activity of the protein. In this study, we sequenced GmBADH2 in another fragrant soybean cultivar Chamame and discovered a new fragrance allele, which has a 2-bp (TT) deletion in exon 10. The deletion causes a reading frame shift and introduces a premature stop codon, which could abolish protein function and result in fragrance. The old and new fragrance-promoting alleles were designated Gmbadh2-1 and Gmbadh2-2, respectively. A simple and co-dominant functional marker was developed for genotyping Gmbadh2-2. The marker can discriminate between fragrant and non-fragrant soybeans and distinguish the two different fragrant soybeans, and thus is useful for routine genotyping for the fragrance trait in breeding programs. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in an F₂ population using Chamame as the fragrance donor revealed that the location of the fragrance QTL nearly coincided with that of the functional marker, confirming the association between GmBADH2 and fragrance in Chamame.     

The genetic origin of fragrance in NERICA1

In this study, we investigated the cause and origin of fragrance in NERICA1, a fragrant rice inbred line developed from an interspecific cross between two non-fragrant parents. The genetic cause of fragrance in NERICA1 was found to be due to a previously reported mutation in the BADH2 gene, the same allele responsible for the majority of modern fragrant rice varieties. Haplotype analysis around the BADH2 gene in NERICA1, its parents, and 95 other varieties carrying the badh2.1 allele identified the source of the badh2.1 allele in NERICA1 was a fragrant tropical japonica variety, WAB638-1, which had been growing in the vicinity of the NERICA1 nursery during varietal development. The allele-specific marker for the badh2.1 allele consistently predicted fragrance in the diverse African germplasm tested, making it very useful for marker-assisted breeding of fragrant rice varieties in Africa.     

A Perfect Marker for Fragrance Genotyping in Rice

Allele specific amplification (ASA) is a low-cost, robust technique that can be utilised to discriminate between alleles that differ by SNP's, insertions or deletions, within a single PCR tube. Fragrance in rice, a recessive trait, has been shown to be due to an eight bp deletion and three SNP's in a gene on chromosome 8 which encodes a putative betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (BAD2). Here we report a single tube ASA assay which allows discrimination between fragrant and non-fragrant rice varieties and identifies homozygous fragrant, homozygous non-fragrant and heterozygous non-fragrant individuals in a population segregating for fragrance. External primers generate a fragment of approximately 580 bp as a positive control for each sample. Internal and corresponding external primers produce a 355 bp fragment from a non-fragrant allele and a 257 bp fragment from a fragrant allele, allowing simple analysis on agarose gels.     

Genetic and molecular basis of fragrance in rice

Fragrance or aroma in rice is considered as a special trait with huge economic importance that determines the premium price in global trade. With the availability of molecular maps and genome sequences, a major gene for fragrance (badh2) was identified on chromosome 8. An 8-bp deletion in the exon 7 of this gene was reported to result in truncation of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenease enzyme whose loss-of-function lead to the accumulation of a major aromatic compound, 2-acetyl 1-pyrroline (2AP) in fragrant rice. However, several studies have reported exceptions to this mutation and indicated the involvement of other genetic loci in controlling fragrance trait. These studies emphasize the need to characterize the fragrance and its underlying factors in a wide range of genetic resources available for this trait. This review summarizes the new insights gained on the genetic and molecular understanding of fragrance in rice.     

The gene for fragrance in rice

The flavour or fragrance of basmati and jasmine rice is associated with the presence of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. A recessive gene (fgr) on chromosome 8 of rice has been linked to this important trait. Here, we show that a gene with homology to the gene that encodes betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BAD) has significant polymorphisms in the coding region of fragrant genotypes relative to non-fragrant genotypes. The accumulation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in fragrant rice genotypes may be explained by the presence of mutations resulting in a loss of function of the fgr gene product. The allele in fragrant genotypes has a mutation introducing a stop codon upstream of key amino acid sequences conserved in other BADs. The fgr gene corresponds to the gene encoding BAD2 in rice, while BAD1 is encoded by a gene on chromosome 4. BAD has been linked to stress tolerance in plants. However, the apparent loss of function of BAD2 does not seem to limit the growth of fragrant rice genotypes. Fragrance in domesticated rice has apparently originated from a common ancestor and may have evolved in a genetically isolated population, or may be the outcome of a separate domestication event. This is an example of effective human selection for a recessive trait during domestication.     

PCR-based molecular markers for the fragrance gene in rice (Oryza sativa. L.)

The genomic DNA clone RG28, linked to the major fragrance gene of rice (fgr), was assessed for polymorphism in order to produce a PCR-based marker for fragrance. A small mono-nucleotide repeat, that was polymorphic between a pair of fragrant and non-fragrant cultivars, was identified and developed into a co-dominant PCR-based marker. The polymorphism-information-content determinations for three microsatellite markers, that have been genetically mapped near RG28, are also presented. These PCR-based markers will be highly useful in distinguishing fragrance-producing alleles from non-fragrance-producing alleles at the fgr locus. Received: 19 October 1999 / Accepted: 16 December 1999     

Discovery of a new fragrance allele and development of functional markers for identifying diverse fragrant genotypes in rice

Discovery of new fragrance alleles provides important genetic resources for breeding fragrant rice. In this study, a hybrid complementation test demonstrated the association of a new fragrance allele without mutation in the coding region with flavor formation in a fragrant rice variety Nankai 138. The new allele (badh2-p-5′UTR) has a 3-bp deletion in the 5′ untranslated region and an 8-bp insertion in the promoter (?1,314 site upstream from the initiation codon). Surprisingly, we found that there is also an 8-bp insertion in the promoter of the badh2-E7 allele. We developed a new sequence tagged site functional marker to identify the badh2-p-5′UTR and badh2-E7 alleles according to the 8-bp insertion in their promoters. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (AluI) functional marker targeting a common base substitution in the intron 2 of three badh2 alleles, viz. badh2-p-5′UTR, badh2-E7 and badh2-E2, was developed to identify diverse genotypes for fragrance in rice. Based on the results of sequence alignments among the three badh2 alleles, we suggest that the badh2-E7 and badh2-p-5′UTR alleles may have the same genetic origin. In addition, the genetic distance between the badh2-E7 and badh2-p-5′UTR alleles may be closer than that between the badh2-E2 and the badh2-p-5′UTR alleles, or between the badh2-E2 and the badh2-E7 alleles.     

A SNP in GmBADH2 gene associates with fragrance in vegetable soybean variety ��Kaori�� and SNAP marker development for the fragrance

Fragrance in soybean is due to the presence of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP). BADH2 gene coding for betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase has been identified as the candidate gene responsible for fragrance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, using the RIL population derived from fragrant soybean cultivar "Kaori" and non-fragrant soybean cultivar "Chiang Mai 60" (CM60), STS markers designed from BADH2 homolog were found associating with 2AP production. Genetic mapping demonstrated that QTL position of fragrance and 2AP production coincides with the position of GmBADH2 (Glycine max betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 2). Sequence comparison of GmBADH2 between Kaori and non-fragrant soybeans revealed non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 10. Nucleotide substitution of G to A in the exon results in an amino acid change of glycine (GGC; G) to aspartic acid (GAC; D) in Kaori. The amino acid substitution changes the conserved EGCRLGPIVS motif of GmBADH2, which is essential for functional activity of GmBADH2 protein, to EGCRLDPIVS motif, suggesting that the SNP in GmBADH2 is responsible for the fragrance in Kaori. Five single nucleotide-amplified polymorphism (SNAP) markers which are PCR-based allele specific SNP markers were developed for fragrance based on the SNP in GmBADH2. Two markers specific to A allele produced a band in only Kaori, while three markers specific to G alleles produced a band in only CM60. The simple PCR-based allele specific SNAP markers developed in the present study are useful in marker-assisted breeding of fragrant soybean.     

Molecular tagging and mapping of the erect panicle gene in rice

Erect panicle (EP) is one of the more important traits of the proposed ideotype of high-yielding rice. Several rice cultivars with the EP phenotype, which has been reported to be controlled by a dominant gene, have been successfully developed and released for commercial production in North China. To analyze the inheritance of the EP trait, we generated segregating F₂ and BC₁F₁ populations by crossing an EP-type variety, Liaojing 5, and a curved-panicle-type variety, Fengjin. Our results confirmed that a dominant gene controls the EP trait. Simple-sequence repeat (SSR) and bulked segregant analyses of the F₂ population revealed that the EP gene is located on chromosome 9, between two newly developed SSR markers, RM5833-11 and RM5686-23, at a genetic distance of 1.5 and 0.9 cM, respectively. Markers closer to the EP gene were developed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis with 128 AFLP primer combinations. Three AFLP markers were found to be linked to the EP gene, and the nearest marker, E-TA/M-CTC₂₀₀, was mapped to the same location as SSR marker RM5686-23, 1.5 cM from the EP gene. A local map around the EP gene comprising nine SSR and one AFLP marker was constructed. These markers will be useful for marker-assisted selection (MAS) for the EP trait in rice breeding programs.     

24种香稻品种甜菜碱醛脱氢酶2基因突变位点的分析及分子标记开发

根据香型与非香型水稻甜菜碱醛脱氢酶2基因(badh2)在第2、第4内含子、第7外显子3处序列差异和第2外显子1处序列差异,分别设计了两类检测badh2第7和第2外显子突变的功能性分子标记引物M7和M2;利用两类引物,分别对属于第7外显子突变的香型水稻W香99075和第2外显子突变的香型水稻武香14、非香型水稻以及两种香稻分别与非香稻杂交的F1植株基因组DNA进行PCR检测后发现,M7和M2引物完全能够分别被用于以第7和第2外显子突变的香稻作为亲本,进行分子标记辅助培育香稻新品种的研究.M7引物综合考虑了badh2内含子和外显子两方面突变情况而设计的.以非香稻261S、分别发生第7和第2外显子突变的香稻品种W香99075和武香14为对照,使用M7和M2引物,对本实验室收集的另外22份香稻品种进行badh2突变位点检测,结果可将这些香稻分为badh2第2外显子突变类型、第7外显子突变类型和外显子未发生突变类型,同时明确了大多目前在上海等周边地区种植的香稻品种的badh2所属的突变位点.开展本研究为利用分子标记辅助选育香型水稻新品种研究奠定了重要的基础.     

A novel functional gene associated with cold tolerance at the seedling stage in rice

Identification and cloning of cold‐tolerant genes that can stably express under different cold environments are crucial for molecular rice breeding for cold tolerance. In the previous study, we identified a cold‐tolerant QTL at the seedling stage, qCTS‐9 which could be detected under different cold environments using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cold‐tolerant variety Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH) and a cold‐sensitive variety Shanhuangzhan 2 (SHZ‐2). In this study, eight candidate genes within the qCTS‐9 interval were identified through integrated analysis of QTL mapping with genomewide differential expression profiling of LTH. The qRT‐PCR assay showed that only Os09g0410300 exhibited different expression patterns between LTH and SHZ‐2 during cold stress, and significantly positive correlation was found between cold induction of Os09g0410300 and seedling cold tolerance in the RI lines. Five SNPs and one InDel in the promoters of Os09g0410300 were detected between LTH and SHZ‐2, and the InDel marker ID410300 designed based on the insertion–deletion polymorphism in the promoter was significantly associated with seedling cold tolerance in RIL population. Further, Os09g0410300 over‐expression plants exhibited enhanced cold tolerance at the seedling stage compared with the wild‐type plants. Thus, our results suggest that Os09g0410300 is the functional gene underlying qCTS‐9. To our knowledge, it is a novel gene contributed to enhance cold tolerance at the seedling stage in rice. Identification of the functional gene underlying qCTS‐9 and development of the gene‐specific marker will facilitate molecular breeding for cold tolerance at the seedling stage in rice through transgenic approach and marker‐assisted selection (MAS).     

Delimitation of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">fgr</Emphasis> gene for rice fragrance to a 28-kb DNA fragment

The fragrance gene plays an important role in high-quality rice varieties and has been widely used in breeding programs. Using a random sample of 370 individuals from an F₂ segregating population developed from a cross between a japonica rice variety 9407 with fragrant flavor and an indica variety IRBB60, the fgr locus was mapped on chromosome 8 between SSR markers, PSM465 and RM1109, with genetic distances of 0.3 cM and 0.1 cM to respective markers. These mapping efforts confirmed the previous mapping results. A large F₃ mapping population with 7300 individuals was then developed from F₂ plants, in which a small chromosomal region defined by the SSR markers, PSM465 and RM1109, was heterozygous. The analysis of recombinants in the fgr region anchored the gene locus to an interval of 28 kb flanked by the left marker NS9 and the right marker L06. Sequence analysis of this fragment predicted three open reading frames encoding putative 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase, putative isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH2). The latter was presumed to be the candidate gene for fragrance. This result will be very useful in molecular cloning of the fgr gene and marker-assisted transfer of the fgr gene in rice breeding programs. Published in Russian in Fiziologiya Rastenii, 2009, vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 587–595. This text was submitted by the authors in English.     

水稻种子内生泛菌(Pantoea spp.)系统发育多样性及其促生功能

【目的】Pantoea菌株是广泛分布在自然界中的一类功能多样的细菌。本研究对分离自水稻种子内生的Pantoea菌株进行系统发育分析及功能评价,从而确定分类地位、种类多样性、分布特征及功能特性。【方法】采用乙醇-次氯酸钠联合灭菌方法进行水稻种子的表面灭菌,进行内生细菌的分离与纯化;其次将纯化后的菌株进行16Sr RNA基因PCR扩增及序列分析,通过MEGA7软件构建系统发育树;将分离得到的菌株进行功能实验检测,如溶磷、产IAA、产铁载体、拮抗病原真菌等特性,最后检测菌株的溶血性;水稻分型采用SSR方法,并对水稻农学性状如分蘖数、株高、植株重及产量进行调查。【结果】本研究对分离自8个不同基因型水稻种子中的146株内生Pantoea菌株进行系统发育分析及功能评价,结果发现所分离到的泛菌菌株主要属于Pantoea dispersa、Pantoea agglomerans、Pantoea cypripedii以及Pantoea brenneri四个种,其中P. dispersa的菌株数量最多,分布最广,并且存在于所有的8个水稻种子样品中。对其中66株菌进行功能检测,发现86.3%和69.7%的菌株具有溶磷和产IAA能力,有7株菌具有产铁载体能力,未发现对真菌病害Fusarium moniliforme有拮抗作用的菌株,并发现3株菌具有溶血性;本实验未发现泛菌组成与水稻系统发育及农学性状存在明显的相关性。【结论】本研究首次对水稻种子中泛菌的多样性及其功能进行报道,发现不同基因型的水稻种子所含Pantoea种类及组成存在差异,种子选择性地积累了Pantoea类群,大部分菌株具有一定的促生特性。该研究结果有助于进一步探究微生物与植物的共进化、种子微生物的传播途径及作用方式。     

A major photoperiod-sensitivity gene tagged with RFLP and isozyme markers in rice

Summary Photoperiod-sensitive rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars are widely grown in rainfed lowland areas with unfavorable water regimes. A molecular marker for the trait would be useful in genetic and physiological studies and in developing improved photoperiod-sensitive cultivars. Previous genetic studies identified a major gene for photoperiod sensitivity on chromosome 6. We have tested an isozyme marker and several RFLP probes mapping to chromosome 6 in an attempt to identify marker(s) tightly linked to photoperiod sensitivity in tropical rice cultivars. We report here that the isozyme gene Pgi-2 is linked (23.2±4.7 cM) to the photoperiod-sensitivity gene in the cultivar GEB-24. Although association of duration with Pgi-2 alleles can be used to detect segregation of the photoperiod sensitivity gene in crosses, it will probably not be useful as a marker in selection because of its loose linkage. In contrast, a gene for photoperiod sensitivity in the cultivar Puang Rai 2 was found to be closely linked to the rice genomic clone RG64. Among 15 F₃ lines homozygous for photoperiod insensitivity, no recombinants were detected with RG64. This clone is thus an excellent probe to follow segregation of the major photoperiod-sensitivity gene in rice crosses.     

Development and validation of functional marker targeting an InDel in the major rice blast disease resistance gene Pi54 (Pik h )

Rice blast is one of the most devastating diseases affecting the rice crop throughout the world. In molecular breeding for host plant resistance, functional markers are very useful for enhancing the precision and accuracy in marker-assisted selection (MAS) of target gene(s) with minimum effort, time and cost. Pi54 (which was earlier known as Pik ^h ) is one of the major blast resistance genes and has been observed to show resistance against many isolates of the blast pathogen in India. The gene has been cloned through map-based strategy and encodes a nucleotide-binding site?Cleucine-rich repeat (NBS?CLRR) domain-containing protein. In the present study, we carried out allele mining for this gene and identified a 144-bp insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphism in the exonic region of the gene. A PCR-based co-dominant molecular marker targeting this InDel, named Pi54 MAS, was developed. Pi54 MAS was observed to perfectly co-segregate with blast resistance in a mapping population with no recombinants. Validation of this marker in 105 genotypes which are either susceptible or resistant to rice blast disease showed that the marker is polymorphic in most of the resistant?Csusceptible genotype combinations and is more accurate than the earlier reported markers for Pi54. Hence this functional, co-dominant marker is suggested for routine deployment in MAS of Pi54 in breeding programs.     

Gene discovery and functional marker development for fragrance in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Key message

Sequence analysis and genetic mapping revealed that a 1,444 bp deletion causes a premature stop codon in SbBADH2 of sorghum IS19912. The non-function of SbBADH2 is responsible for fragrance in sorghum IS19912.

Abstract

2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) is a potent volatile compound causing fragrance in several plants and foods. Seeds of some varieties of rice, sorghum and soybean possess fragrance. The genes responsible for fragrance in rice and soybean are orthologs that correspond to betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (BADH2). Genotypes harboring fragrance in rice and soybean contain a premature stop codon in BADH2 which impairs the synthesis of full length functional BADH2 protein leading to the accumulation of 2AP. In this study, we reported an association between the BADH2 gene and fragrance in sorghum. An F₂ population of 187 plants developed from a cross between KU630 (non-fragrant) and IS19912 (fragrant) was used. Leaves of F₂ and F₃ progenies were evaluated for fragrance by organoleptic test, while seeds of F₂ plants were analyzed for 2AP. The tests consistently showed that the fragrance is controlled by a single recessive gene. Gene expression analysis of SbBADH1 and SbBADH2 in leaves of KU630 and IS19912 at various stages revealed that SbBADH1 and SbBADH2 were expressed in both accessions. Sequence comparison between KU630 and IS19912 revealed a continuous 1,444 bp deletion encompassing exon 12 to 15 of SbBADH2 in IS19912 which introduces a frameshift mutation and thus causes a premature stop codon. An indel marker was developed to detect polymorphism in SbBADH2. Bulk segregant and QTL analyses confirmed the association between SbBADH2 and fragrance.     

Association mapping of grain color,phenolic content,flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity in dehulled rice

Phytochemicals such as phenolics and flavonoids in rice grain are antioxidants that are associated with reduced risk of developing chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and some cancers. Understanding the genetic basis of these traits is necessary for the improvement of nutritional quality by breeding. Association mapping based on linkage disequilibrium has emerged as a powerful strategy for identifying genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying complex traits in plants. In this study, genome-wide association mapping using models controlling both population structure (Q) and relative kinship (K) were performed to identify the marker loci/QTLs underlying the naturally occurring variations of grain color and nutritional quality traits in 416 rice germplasm accessions including red and black rice. A total of 41 marker loci were identified for all the traits, and it was confirmed that Ra (i.e., Prp-b for purple pericarp) and Rc (brown pericarp and seed coat) genes were main-effect loci for rice grain color and nutritional quality traits. RM228, RM339, fgr (fragrance gene) and RM316 were important markers associated with most of the traits. Association mapping for the traits of the 361 white or non-pigmented rice accessions (i.e., excluding the red and black rice) revealed a total of 11 markers for four color parameters, and one marker (RM346) for phenolic content. Among them, Wx gene locus was identified for the color parameters of lightness (L*), redness (a*) and hue angle (H ^o). Our study suggested that the markers identified in this study can feasibly be used to improve nutritional quality or health benefit properties of rice by marker-assisted selection if the co-segregations of the marker–trait associations are validated in segregating populations.