Mutations in the miR396 binding site of the growth-regulating factor gene VvGRF4 modulate inflorescence architecture
Susanne Rossmann1, Robert Richter2, Hequan Sun1
1Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Abstract:
Bunch rot caused by Botrytis cinerea infections is a notorious problem in grapevine cultivation. To produce high quality fruits, grapevine plants are treated with fungicides, which is cost intensive and harmful to the environment. Conversely, loose cluster bunches show a considerably enhanced physical resilience to bunch diseases. With the aim to identify genetic determinants that modulate the development of bunch architecture, we have compared loose and compact 'Pinot noir' clones. Loose cluster architecture was found to be correlated with increased berry size, elongated rachis and elongated pedicels. Using transcriptome analysis in combination with whole genome sequencing, we have identified a growth-regulating factor gene, VvGRF4, upregulated and harbours heterozygous mutations in the loose cluster clones. At late stages of inflorescence development, the mRNA pools of loose cluster clones contain predominantly mRNAs derived from the mutated alleles, which are resistant to miR396 degradation. Expression of the VvGRF4 gene and its mutated variants in Arabidopsis demonstrates that it promotes pedicel elongation. Taken together, VvGRF4 modulates bunch architecture in grapevine 'Pinot noir' clones. This trait can be introduced into other cultivars using marker-assisted breeding or CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Related growth-regulating factors or other genes of the same pathway may have similar functions.
More Related Videos
13:02The Terroir Concept Interpreted through Grape Berry Metabolomics and Transcriptomics
Published on: October 5, 2016
11:04Geomagnetic Field Gmf and Plant Evolution: Investigating the Effects of Gmf Reversal on Arabidopsis thaliana Development and Gene Expression
Published on: November 30, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Transgenic Plants
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...
In-vitro Mutagenesis
Position-effect Variegation
Meristems and Plant Growth
Cis-regulatory Sequences
