Sequence variation in the gene encoding the 10-kDa prolamin in Oryza (Poaceae). I. Phylogenetic Implications

Oryza L. (Poaceae) contains approximately 20 wild and two domesticated species and nine genomes. Major disagreements exist on its systematics and genome evolution. Sequence polymorphism in the gene that encodes the 10-kDa prolamin polypeptide (a seed storage protein) was used to determine phylogenetic relationships and evaluate current systematics for 19 Oryza species. This gene in Oryza is approximately 402-bp long, and includes a 72-bp signal peptide region. A strict consensus tree shows Oryza brachyantha (FF) as the most basal species, followed by a polytomy of three clades that can be delineated based on genome composition: (1) the GG clade: Oryza granulata and Oryza meyeriana, (2) the EE clade: Oryza australiensis, and (3) the ABCD clade: the remaining Oryza species. Two subclades within the ABCD clade emerge, one containing species with the AA genome, the other with components of the BC and D genomes. Members of the AA subclade form a polytomy and were delineated by a single 3-base deletion. The African species Oryza punctata (BB) and the South American-endemic CCDD genome species form a strong lineage, pointing to a close genetic affinity of O. punctata to the missing DD genome donor. The strong association between the CC and BBCC species implies convergence at the gene level. The study supports the following sectional units of Oryza: Section Oryza (Series sativae and officinaliae), Section australiensis, Section Granulata, Section Brachyantha.