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Characterization of grapevine transposons furthers understanding of in vino variety
September 03, 2008The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is a widely cultivated crop that has been subjected to intensive breeding since the Neolithic period (from ~10,500 to ~6,000 years ago). The domestication of grapevine has undergone a selection for traits important for its cultivation and usage.
The recent publication of the complete grapevine genome has opened the possibility for an in-depth analysis of its content. This sequencing has shown that genes constitute only a very small proportion of complex genomes, with repetitive sequences and (in particular) mobile genetic elements or transposons making up a much larger part. Although transposition is a highly mutagenic event and genomes have developed very efficient mechanisms to control it, transposons have played a major role in the evolution of complex genomes.
A new study conducted by researchers at the CRAG (CSIC-IRTA-UAB) in Barcelona (Spain) in collaboration with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Vienna (Austria), published in the online, open-access journal PLoS ONE, September 3, presents a genome-wide characterization of grapevine transposons. This work shows that transposons have captured and amplified gene sequences in grapevines, which could have had an impact on gene evolution and their regulation.
Conversely, some transposons have been "domesticated," losing their ability to transpose and probably fulfilling cellular roles as conventional genes do. Moreover, the research shows that grapevine transposons, some of which are probably still active, have played an important role in generating genetic diversity in this species.
The characterization of grapevine transposons will help to understand how the high genetic diversity of this species has been arisen and may be useful for the development of new molecular markers for the marker-assisted selection of new commercial varieties.
Public Library of Science
Conversely, some transposons have been "domesticated," losing their ability to transpose and probably fulfilling cellular roles as conventional genes do. Moreover, the research shows that grapevine transposons, some of which are probably still active, have played an important role in generating genetic diversity in this species.
The characterization of grapevine transposons will help to understand how the high genetic diversity of this species has been arisen and may be useful for the development of new molecular markers for the marker-assisted selection of new commercial varieties.
Public Library of Science
Vine invasion? UWM ecologist looks at coexistence of trees and lianas
Among the hundreds of species of woody vines that University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ecologist Stefan Schnitzer has encountered in the tropical forests of Panama, the largest has a stalk nearly 20 inches in circumference.
UCR-led research team uses tiny wasp to wipe out major agricultural pest in Tahiti
A research team led by Mark Hoddle, a biological control specialist at UC Riverside, has nearly eradicated the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a major agricultural pest, from the island of Tahiti and several other French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
World's largest flower evolved from family of much tinier blooms
The plant with the world's largest flower - typically a full meter across, with a bud the size of a basketball - evolved from a family of plants whose blossoms are nearly all tiny, botanists write this week in the journal Science.
Nature press release for April 25 issue
[416816] RELICS: EARLIEST KNOWN EUTHERIAN MAMMAL FOSSIL FOUND (pp816-822; N&V) A furry, mouse-sized fossil from about 125 million years ago is the earliest known representative of the eutherian mammals - the group that includes humans - say researchers in this week's Nature. This animal was a contemporary of the dinosaurs, but may have kept out of the way by hiding in trees. Its elongated fingers suggest that it was an adept climber. Zhe-Xi Luo, of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, and colleagues, discovered the exceptionally well-preserved skeleton, which also shows its dense pelt, in China. The find extends our records for the eutheria by more than 40 million years. In a
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