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A Kleinhofs

Publications and source records attributed to A Kleinhofs.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The barley serine/threonine kinase gene Rpg1 providing resistance to stem rust belongs to a gene family with five other members encoding kinase domains.

The barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) resistance gene Rpg1 encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase with two tandem kinase domains. The Rpg1 gene family was identified from the cv. Morex and consists of five additional members with divergent homology to Rpg1. All family members encode serine/threonine kinase-like proteins with at least one predicted catalytically active kinase domain. The five family members were sequenced from cDNA and genomic DNA and genetically mapped. The family member most closely related to Rpg1, ABC1037, is located on chromosome 1(7H) bin 01, very near (approximately 50 kb) but not co-segregating with Rpg1. Two others, ABC1036 and ABC1040, are closely related to each other and tightly linked on chromosome 7(5H) bin 07. ABC1041 mapped to chromosome 7(5H) bin 13, tightly linked to the rust resistance genes rpg4 and Rpg5 providing resistance to barley stem rust pathotype QCC and rye stem rust pathotype 92-MN-90, respectively, but segregated away in a high-resolution population. ABC1063 was localized to chromosome 4(4H) bin 6. An interesting Rpg1 allele that appears to be the result of unequal recombination between Rpg1 and ABC1037 was characterized. No known resistance loci cosegregated with any family members, however characterization of the Rpg1 family has provided insight into the evolution of this novel gene family and may present tools for understanding the functional domains of Rpg1. The genetic mapping, gene structures, and analysis of amino-acid sequences of the Rpg1 gene family members are presented.

Chromosomes, Plant↗

Rpr1, a gene required for Rpg1-dependent resistance to stem rust in barley.

Rpg1 is a stem rust resistance gene that has protected barley from severe losses for over 60 years in the US and Canada. It confers resistance to many, but not all, pathotypes of the stem rust fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici. A fast neutron induced deletion mutant, showing susceptibility to stem rust pathotype Pgt-MCC, was identified in barley cv. Morex, which carries Rpg1. Genetic and Rpg1 mRNA and protein expression level analyses showed that the mutation was a suppressor of Rpg1 and was designated Rpr1 (Required for P. graminis resistance). Genome-wide expression profiling, using the Affymetrix Barley1 GeneChip containing approximately 22,840 probe sets, was conducted with Morex and the rpr1 mutant. Of the genes represented on the Barley1 microarray, 20 were up-regulated and 33 were down-regulated by greater than twofold in the mutant, while the Rpg1 mRNA level remained constant. Among the highly down-regulated genes (greater than fourfold), genomic PCR, RT-PCR and Southern analyses identified that three genes (Contig4901_s_at, HU03D17U_s_at, and Contig7061_s_at), were deleted in the rpr1 mutant. These three genes mapped to chromosome 4(4H) bin 5 and co-segregated with the rpr1-mediated susceptible phenotype. The loss of resistance was presumed to be due to a mutation in one or more of these genes. However, the possibility exists that there are other genes within the deletions, which are not represented on the Barley1 GeneChip. The Rpr1 gene was not required for Rpg5- and rpg4-mediated stem rust resistance, indicating that it shows specificity to the Rpg1-mediated resistance pathway.

Blotting, Southern↗

Mapping Ds insertions in barley using a sequence-based approach.

A transposon tagging system, based upon maize Ac/Ds elements, was developed in barley (Hordeum vulgaresubsp. vulgare). The long-term objective of this project is to identify a set of lines with Ds insertions dispersed throughout the genome as a comprehensive tool for gene discovery and reverse genetics. AcTPase and Ds-bar elements were introduced into immature embryos of Golden Promise by biolistic transformation. Subsequent transposition and segregation of Ds away from AcTPase and the original site of integration resulted in new lines, each containing a stabilized Ds element in a new location. The sequence of the genomic DNA flanking the Ds elements was obtained by inverse PCR and TAIL-PCR. Using a sequence-based mapping strategy, we determined the genome locations of the Ds insertions in 19 independent lines using primarily restriction digest-based assays of PCR-amplified single nucleotide polymorphisms and PCR-based assays of insertions or deletions. The principal strategy was to identify and map sequence polymorphisms in the regions corresponding to the flanking DNA using the Oregon Wolfe Barley mapping population. The mapping results obtained by the sequence-based approach were confirmed by RFLP analyses in four of the lines. In addition, cloned DNA sequences corresponding to the flanking DNA were used to assign map locations to Morex-derived genomic BAC library inserts, thus integrating genetic and physical maps of barley. BLAST search results indicate that the majority of the transposed Ds elements are found within predicted or known coding sequences. Transposon tagging in barley using Ac/Ds thus promises to provide a useful tool for studies on the functional genomics of the Triticeae.

Base Sequence↗

Fine mapping of a malting-quality QTL complex near the chromosome 4H S telomere in barley.

Malting quality has long been an active objective in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) breeding programs.However, it is difficult for breeders to manipulate malting-quality traits because of inheritance complexity and difficulty in evaluation of these quantitative traits. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping provides breeders a promising basis with which to manipulate quantitative trait genes. A malting-quality QTL complex, QTL2, was mapped previously to a 30-cM interval in the short-arm telomere region of barley chromosome 4H in a "Step-toe"/"Morex" doubled haploid population by the North American Barley Genome Project, using an interval mapping method with a relatively low-resolution genetic map. The QTL2 complex has moderate effects on several malting-quality traits, including malt extract percentage(ME), a-amylase activity (AA), diastatic power (DP), malt 13-glucan content (BG), and seed dormancy, which makes it a promising candidate gene source in malting barley-cultivar development. Fine mapping QTL2 is desirable for precisely studying barley malting-quality trait inheritance and for efficiently manipulating QTL2 in breeding. A reciprocal-substitution mapping method was employed to fine map QTL2. Molecular marker-assisted backcrossing was used to facilitate the generation of isolines. Fourteen different types of "Steptoe" isolines, including regenerated "Steptoe" and 13 different types of "Morex" isolines,including regenerated "Morex", were made within a 41.5-cM interval between MWG634 and BCD265B on chromosome 4H. Duplicates were identified for 12 "Steptoe" and 12 "Morex" isoline types. The isolines together with "Steptoe" and "Morex" were grown variously at three locations in 2 years for a total of five field environments.Four malting-quality traits were measured: ME, DP, AA,and BG. Few significant differences were found between duplicate isolines for these traits. A total of 15 putative QTLs were mapped; three for ME, four for DP, six for AA,and two for BG. Background genotype seemed to make a difference in expression/detection of QTLs. Of the 15 QTLs identified, ten were from the "Morex" and only five from the "Steptoe" background. By combining the results from different years, field environments, and genetic backgrounds and taking into account overlapping QTLsegments, six QTLs can be conservatively estimated: two each for ME and AA and one each for DP and BG with chromosome segments ranging from 0.7 cM to 27.9 cM. A segment of 15.8 cM from the telomere (MWG634-CDO669) includes all or a portion of all QTLs identified. Further study and marker-assisted breeding should focus on this 15.8-cM chromosome region.

Breeding↗

Marker assisted genetic analysis of non-brittle rachis trait in barley.

Brittle rachis is a head shattering mechanism of barley. Two tightly linked complementary genes, btr1 and btr2, were believed to control the non-brittle rachis trait. Position of non-brittle rachis loci btr1btr2 on the short arm of Chromosome 3 was investigated using RFLP markers. Two approaches were employed. First, a Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum fragment that confers brittleness in a cv. Bowman near isogenic line was detected. This fragment is 18-33 cM in length and contains MWG798B, ABG057, MWG014, BCD706 and KFP216 markers of the short arm of Chromosome 3. In the second approach, position of btr1 locus in a H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum (Wadi Qilt 23-38)xH. vulgare subsp. vulgare (cv. Harrington) cross was detected using a selective genotyping approach in BC2F1 generation. F-tests and analysis of genotypic compositions of BC2F1 lines showed that btr1 locus, and supposedly the tightly linked btr2 locus, is in 4.3 cM KFP216-RisP114 interval of short arm of Chromosome 3. Results also yielded clues for the presence of at least two additional loci that affect the non-brittle rachis trait. Allelism tests using genotypes with known non-brittle rachis gene compositions provided additional evidence for presence of such loci.

Biomarkers↗

High-resolution genetic mapping of the leaf stripe resistance gene Rdg2a in barley.

The dominant gene Rdg2a of barley conferring resistance to the hemi-biotrophic seed-borne pathogen Pyrenophora graminea is located in the distal region of chromosome arm 1 (7H)S. As the first step towards isolating the gene, a high-resolution genetic map of the region was constructed using an F(2) population of 1,400 plants (Thibaut Rdg2axMirco). The map included six classes of resistance gene analogues (RGAs) tightly associated with Rdg2a. Rdg2a was delimited to a genetic interval of 0.14 cM between the RGAs ssCH4 and MWG851. Additional markers were generated using the sequence from the corresponding region on rice chromosome 6, allowing delimitation of the Rdg2a syntenic interval in rice to a 115 kbp stretch of sequence. Analysis of the rice sequence failed to reveal any genes with similarity to characterized resistance genes. Therefore, either the rice-barley synteny is disrupted in this region, or Rdg2a encodes a novel type of resistance protein.

Ascomycota↗

Barley putative hypersensitive induced reaction genes: genetic mapping, sequence analyses and differential expression in disease lesion mimic mutants.

The hypersensitive response (HR) is one of the most-efficient forms of plant defense against biotrophic pathogens, and results in localized cell death and the formation of necrotic lesions; however, the molecular components of pathways leading to HR remain largely unknown. Barley ( Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare L.) cDNAs for putative hypersensitive-induced reaction ( HIR) genes were isolated based on DNA and amino-acid homologies to maize HIR genes. Analyses of the cDNA and genomic sequences and genetic mapping found four distinct barley HIR genes, Hv-hir1, Hv-hir2, Hv-hir3 and Hv-hir4, on chromosomes 4(4H) bin10, 7(5H) bin04, 7(5H) bin07 and 1(7H) bin03, respectively. Hv-hir1, Hv-hir2 and Hv-hir3 genes were highly homologous at both DNA and the deduced amino-acid level, but the Hv-hir4 gene was similar to the other genes only at the amino-acid sequence level. Amino-acid sequence analyses of the barley HIR proteins indicated the presence of the SPFH protein-domain characteristic for the prohibitins and stomatins which are involved in control of the cell cycle and ion channels, as well as in other membrane-associated proteins from bacteria, plants and animals. HIR genes were expressed in all organs and developement stages analyzed, indicating a vital and non-redundant function. Barley fast-neutron mutants exhibiting spontaneous HR (disease lesion mimic mutants) showed up to a 35-fold increase in Hv-hir3 expression, implicating HIR genes in the induction of HR.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Mapping and pyramiding of qualitative and quantitative resistance to stripe rust in barley.

The identification and location of sources of genetic resistance to plant diseases are important contributions to the development of resistant varieties. The combination of different sources and types of resistance in the same genotype should assist in the development of durably resistant varieties. Using a doubled haploid (DH), mapping population of barley, we mapped a qualitative resistance gene ( Rpsx) to barley stripe rust in the accession CI10587 (PI 243183) to the long arm of chromosome 1(7H). We combined the Rpsx gene, through a series of crosses, with three mapped and validated barley stripe rust resistance QTL alleles located on chromosomes 4(4H) (QTL4), 5(1H) (QTL5), and 7(5H) (QTL7). Three different barley DH populations were developed from these crosses, two combining Rpsx with QTL4 and QTL7, and the third combining Rpsx with QTL5. Disease severity testing in four environments and QTL mapping analyses confirmed the effects and locations of Rpsx, QTL4, and QTL5, thereby validating the original estimates of QTL location and effect. QTL alleles on chromosomes 4(4H) and 5(1H) were effective in decreasing disease severity in the absence of the resistance allele at Rpsx. Quantitative resistance effects were mainly additive, although magnitude interactions were detected. Our results indicate that combining qualitative and quantitative resistance in the same genotype is feasible. However, the durability of such resistance pyramids will require challenge from virulent isolates, which currently are not reported in North America.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Molecular dissection of a dormancy QTL region near the chromosome 7 (5H) L telomere in barley.

Moderate seed dormancy is desirable in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). It is difficult for breeders to manipulate seed dormancy in practical breeding programs because of complex inheritance and large environmental effects. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping opens a way for breeders to manipulate quantitative trait genes. A seed dormancy QTL, SD2, was mapped previously in an 8-cM interval near the chromosome 7 (5H) L telomere from a cross of 'Steptoe' (dormant)/'Morex' (non-dormant) by the North American Barley Genome Project using an interval mapping method and a relatively low-resolution genetic map. SD2 has a moderate dormancy effect, which makes it a promising candidate gene for moderate seed dormancy in barley cultivar development. The fine mapping of SD2 is required for efficient manipulation of SD2 in breeding and would facilitate the study of dormancy in barley. Ten different Morex isolines were generated, including regenerated Morex, of which nine lines had duplicates. The isolines together with Steptoe and Morex were grown in growth room and field environments for 2 years (2000 and 2001). In the growth room, relatively low growing temperatures (25 degrees C day/15 degrees C night) were employed to promote seed dormancy development. Seed germination percentage, determined at different post-harvest after-ripening periods, was used to measure seed dormancy. Fine mapping using the substitution mapping method based on differences among isolines resolved the SD2 QTL into an 0.8-cM interval between molecular markers MWG851D and MWG851B near the chromosome 7 (5H) L telomere. Relatively low temperatures (< or =25 degrees C) during seed development promoted the expression of the SD2 dormancy QTL. The chromosome region above the MWG851D-MWG851B interval might play a role in reducing barley seed dormancy during after-ripening.

Chromosome Mapping↗

The barley stem rust-resistance gene Rpg1 is a novel disease-resistance gene with homology to receptor kinases.

Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici was among the most devastating diseases of barley in the northern Great Plains of the U.S. and Canada before the deployment of the stem rust-resistance gene Rpg1 in 1942. Since then, Rpg1 has provided durable protection against stem rust losses in widely grown barley cultivars (cvs.). Extensive efforts to clone Rpg1 by synteny with rice provided excellent flanking markers but failed to yield the gene because it does not seem to exist in rice. Here we report the map-based cloning and characterization of Rpg1. A high-resolution genetic map constructed with 8,518 gametes and a 330-kb bacterial artificial chromosome contig physical map positioned the gene between two crossovers approximately 0.21 centimorgan and 110 kb apart. The region including Rpg1 was searched for potential candidate genes by sequencing low-copy probes. Two receptor kinase-like genes were identified. The candidate gene alleles were sequenced from resistant and susceptible cvs. Only one of the candidate genes showed a pattern of apparently functional gene structure in the resistant cvs. and defective gene structure in the susceptible cvs. identifying it as the Rpg1 gene. Rpg1 encodes a receptor kinase-like protein with two tandem protein kinase domains, a novel structure for a plant disease-resistance gene. Thus, it may represent a new class of plant resistance genes.

Alleles↗

Physical mapping of the barley stem rust resistance gene rpg4.

The barley stem rust resistance gene rpg4 was physically and genetically localized on two overlapping BAC clones covering an estimated 300-kb region of the long arm of barley chromosome 7(5H). Initially, our target was mapped within a 6.0-cM region between the previously described flanking markers MWG740 and ABG391. This region was then saturated by integrating new markers from several existing barley and rice maps and by using BAC libraries of barley cv. Morex and rice cv. Nipponbare. Physical/genetic distances in the vicinity of rpg4 were found to be 1.0 Mb/cM, which is lower than the average for barley (4 Mb/cM) and lower than that determined by translocation breakpoint mapping (1.8 Mb/cM). Synteny at high resolution levels has been established between the region of barley chromosome 7(5H) containing the rpg4 locus and the subtelomeric region of rice chromosome 3 between markers S16474 and E10757. This 1.7-cM segment of the rice genome was covered by two overlapping BAC clones, about 250 kb of total length. In barley the markers S16474 and E10757 genetically delimit rpg4, lying 0.6 cM distal and 0.4 cM proximal to the locus, respectively.

Blotting, Southern↗

Sequence analysis of a rice BAC covering the syntenous barley Rpg1 region

In the course of map-based cloning of the barley stem rust resistance gene Rpg1, we identified a rice bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the Rpg1 flanking markers. Based on the excellent gene order colinearity between barley and rice in this region, we expected that this rice BAC would contain the barley Rpg1 homologue. In order to identify the putative rice homologue, we sequenced ca. 35 kb of the rice BAC at random and then an additional 33 kb of contiguous sequence between the two most closely spaced Rpg1 flanking markers. Sequence analysis revealed a total of 15 putative genes, 5 within the 33-kb contiguous region. A rice Rpg1 homologue was not identified, although a gene encoding a hypothetical polypeptide with similarity to a membrane protein could not be eliminated as a candidate. Surprisingly, four of the genes identified in the 33-kb contiguous rice sequence showed a high degree of similarity with genes on Arabidopsis chromosome 4. The genome regions harboring these genes showed some relatedness, but many rearrangements were also evident. These data suggest that some genes have remained linked even over the long evolutionary separation of Arabidopsis and rice, as has also been reported for mammals and invertebrates.

Journal Article↗

Development patterns of telomerase activity in barley and maize.

Eukaryotic chromosomes terminate with specialized structures called telomeres. Maintenance of chromosomal ends in most eukaryotes studied to date requires a specialized enzyme, telomerase. Telomerase has been shown to be developmentally regulated in man and a few other multicellular organisms, while it is constitutively expressed in unicellular eukaryotes. Recently, we demonstrated telomerase activity in plant extracts using the PCR-based TRAP (Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol) assay developed for human cells. Here we report telomerase activities in two grass species, barley and maize, using a modified, semi-quantitative TRAP assay. Telomerase was highly active in very young immature embryos and gradually declined during embryo development. The endosperm telomerase activity was detectable, but significantly lower than in the embryo and declined during kernel development with no detectable activity in later stages. Telomerase activity in dissected maize embryo axis was several orders of magnitude higher than in the scutellum. Telomerase activity was not detected in a range of differentiated tissues including those with active meristems such as root tips as well as the internode and leaf base. The role of telomerase repression during differentiation and the relationship between chromosome healing and telomerase activity is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning and mapping of a putative barley NADPH-dependent HC-toxin reductase.

The NADPH-dependent HC-toxin reductase (HCTR), encoded by Hm1 in maize, inactivates HC-toxin produced by the fungus Cochliobolus carbonum, and thus confers resistance to the pathogen. The fact that C. carbonum only infects maize (Zea mays) and is the only species known to produce HC-toxin raises the question: What are the biological functions of HCTR in other plant species? An HCTR-like enzyme may function to detoxify toxins produced by pathogens which infect other plant species (R. B. Meeley, G. S. Johal, S. E. Briggs, and J. D. Walton, Plant Cell, 4:71-77, 1992). Hm1 homolog in rice (Y. Hihara, M. Umeda, C. Hara, Q. Liu, S. Aotsuka, K. Toriyama, and H. Uchimiya, unpublished) and HCTR activity in barley, wheat, oats and sorghum have been reported (R. B. Meeley and J. D. Walton, Plant Physiol. 97:1080-1086, 1993). To investigate the sequence conservation of Hm1 and HCTR in barley and the possible relationship of barley Hm1 homolog to the known disease resistance genes, we cloned and mapped a barley (Hordeum vulgare) Hm1-like gene. A putative full-length cDNA clone, Bhm1-18, was isolated from a cDNA library consisting of mRNA from young leaves, inflorescences, and immature embryos. This 1,297-bp clone encodes 363 amino acids which show great similarity (81.6%) with the amino acid sequence of HM1 in maize. Two loci were mapped to barley molecular marker linkage maps with Bhm1-18 as the probe; locus A (Bhm1A) on the long arm of chromosome 1, and locus B (Bhm1B) on the short arm of chromosome 1 which is syntenic to maize chromosome 9 containing the Hm2 locus. The Bhm1-18 probe hybridized strongly to a Southern blot of a wide range of grass species, indicating high conservation of HCTR at the DNA sequence level among grasses. The HCTR mRNA was detected in barley roots, leaves, inflorescences, and immature embryos. The conservation of the HCTR sequence, together with its expression in other plant species (R. B. Meeley and J. D. Walton, Plant Physiol. 97:1080-1086, 1993), suggest HCTR plays an important functional role in other plant species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Barley elongation factor 1 alpha: genomic organization, DNA sequence, and phylogenetic implications.

A full length cDNA clone encoding the 447 amino acid long barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Bomi) endosperm elongation factor 1 alpha (eF-1 alpha) was isolated by a differential screening procedure. RFLP mapping of eF-1 alpha showed that the barley genome contains a small eF-1 alpha gene family of 4 copies, with 1 copy of the gene being located on each of chromosomes 2, 4, 6, and 7. Analysis of barley endosperm total proteins by Western blot with antibodies directed towards wheat eF-1 alpha and the sea urchin 51 kDa proteins gave a single band of the expected molecular weight. Amino acid sequence comparison with other plant eF-1 alpha sequences showed that the isolated barley endosperm eF-1 alpha is more similar to the published wheat eF-1 alpha sequence than to eF-1 alpha sequences previously published for the barley cultivars Igri and Dicktoo. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that the barley eF-1 alpha gene family can be divided into two subfamilies and that two ancestral genes existed before the divergence of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic sequence and mapping of a methyljasmonate-induced O-methyltransferase from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

We have isolated a genomic clone corresponding to a caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using a cDNA for a previously described jasmonate-regulated mRNA showing homology to COMT. Primer extension was used to characterize the 5' end of the mRNA while the 3' end, intron/exon structure and other features of the sequence were deduced by comparison to the cDNA sequence and/or conserved motifs. The gene is mapped to chromosome five and is absent in the barley cultivar Morex. Southern and northern analyses suggest that no differences in genomic structure and jasmonate inducibility exist between the barley cultivar Salome (source of the cDNA clone) and Igri (source of the genomic clone). This genomic clone is thus suitable for promoter studies with respect to jasmonate induction.

Acetates↗

Towards map-based cloning of the barley stem rust resistance genes Rpg1 and rpg4 using rice as an intergenomic cloning vehicle.

The barley stem rust resistance genes Rpg1 and rpg4 were mapped in barley on chromosomes 1P and 7M, respectively and the syntenous rice chromosomes identified as 6P and 3P by mapping common probes in barley and rice. Rice yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and cosmid clones were used to isolate probes mapping to the barley Rpg1 region. The rice BAC isolated with the pM13 probe was a particularly excellent source of probes. A high-resolution map of the Rpg1 region was established with 1400 gametes yielding a map density of 3.6 markers per 0.1 cM. A detailed physical map was established for the rice BAC fragment containing the Rpg1-flanking markers pM13 and B24. This fragment covers a barley genetic distance of 0.6 cM and a rice DNA physical distance of ca. 70 kb. The distribution of barley cross-overs in relation to the rice DNA physical distances was extremely uneven. The barley genetic distance between the pM13 marker and Rpg1 was 0.1 cM per ca. 55 kb, while on the proximal side it was 0.5 cm per ca. 15 kb. Three probes from the distal end of the pM13 BAC mapped 3.0 cm proximal of Rpg1 and out of synteny with rice. These experiments confirm the validity of using large insert rice clones as probe sources to saturate small barley (and other large genome cereals) genome regions with markers. They also establish a note of caution that even in regions of high microsynteny, there may be small DNA fragments that have transposed and are no longer in syntenous positions.

Chromosome Mapping↗