Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
10:40
Comprehensive Workflow for the Genome-wide Identification and Expression Meta-analysis of the ATL E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene Family in Grapevine
Published on: December 22, 2017
An EST survey of the sugarcane transcriptome
1Plant Genome Mapping Laboratory, University of Georgia, 111 Riverbend Rd., Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Summary
Researchers sequenced sugarcane expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to identify genes for crop improvement. This provides a foundation for understanding sugarcane genetics and accelerating the discovery of important agronomic genes.
Area of Science:
- Plant Genomics
- Crop Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) presents significant challenges for genetic improvement due to its large, polyploid genome.
- Developing effective genetic strategies requires a comprehensive understanding of its gene repertoire.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a collection of functionally characterized candidate genes for sugarcane.
- To facilitate direct association of genes with economically important traits, moving beyond distant linkage analysis.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of 9,216 5' expressed sequence tag (EST) clones from apex, leaf, and mature internode cDNA libraries.
- Analysis of 3,401 non-redundant sequences to identify putative gene functions through similarity searches.
- Comparative analysis of sugarcane ESTs against sorghum and Arabidopsis databases.
Main Results:
- Approximately 57% of sugarcane ESTs were assigned a tentative function.
- An additional 28% corresponded to previously identified but uncharacterized sequences.
- Identified conserved sequences potentially useful as DNA markers for comparative mapping across angiosperms.
Conclusions:
- The generated sugarcane ESTs offer a valuable resource for accelerating the isolation of agronomically important genes.
- This work lays the groundwork for future functional genomics studies in sugarcane.
- Comparative genomics approaches reveal conserved genetic elements between sugarcane and other plant species.
Related Concept Videos
03:21RNA-seq
RNA sequencing, or RNA-Seq, is a high-throughput sequencing technology used to study the transcriptome of a cell. Transcriptomics helps to interpret the functional elements of a genome and identify the molecular constituents of an organism. Additionally, it also helps in understanding the development of an organism and the occurrence of diseases.
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while microarray-based...
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while microarray-based...
01:10Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...
01:10Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...