Unravelling the genetics of self-incompatibility in grasses


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2024-11

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Conference Poster

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Abstract

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a genetically controlled mechanism present in more than half of the Angiosperms. It prevents the mating of individuals with similar genetic backgrounds and therefore promotes outcrossing. A highly effective SI system can be found widespread within grasses (Poaceae), one of the most economically important plant families. The outcrossing nature, especially common within forage grasses, limits breeding methodologies that can be applied (e.g., hybrid breeding) and is partially responsible for the low genetic gain observed over the last decades. The grass SI system is governed by two multi-allelic loci, S and Z. Each locus contains three genes thought to be involved in the self-recognition in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). These genes that we recently identified have not yet been functionally validated, and only limited knowledge exists about their sequence diversity, their allelic richness, and their physiological function. This project aims to confirm the SI determinants by a gain-of-function and a loss-of-function approach. The SI genes from perennial ryegrass will be brought into the self-compatible model plants Brachypodium distachyon (L.) and Arabidopsis thaliana through genetic transformation. The loss-of-function project will be conducted in Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam.) through a TILLING approach (Targeting Induced Local Lesion IN Genomes). In parallel, using targeted resequencing in a large collection of perennial and Italian ryegrass, as well as other forage grasses, we aim to gain knowledge about the allelic diversity and the evolution of this SI mechanism. Lastly, we will link the allelic diversity of the SI determinants to pollination compatibility, using a semi in-vivo pollination assay in a restricted number of plants sharing common ancestors. This knowledge will help to predict cross-compatibility and, therefore, has a practical use in grass breeding.

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unpublished

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IAS Doctoral Symposium

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Self-incompatibility (SI); Lolium perenne L.; Arabidopsis thaliana L.; Brachypodium distachyon; Genetic transformation; TILLING; Allelic diversity; Cross-compatibility

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03969 - Studer, Bruno / Studer, Bruno check_circle

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