Development of Functional Markers for Stress-Related Genes in Austrian Oak (Quercus Robur, Quercus Petraea) Populations

Rome

2010

S. 155

Bandaufführung

167264

Long-lived trees such as oak face considerable environmental challenge from climate change. The genetic diversity of these populations has mostly been assessed using neutral markers such as microsatellites or AFLP. In the present study we developed an easy, high-throughput SNP detection system to assess genetic variability in genes related to drought/osmotic stress tolerance in oaks. Allelic diversity was established by three independent SNPs per gene, theoretically allowing the identification of eight alleles per gene locus if each SNP yields two variants. Genes encoding for betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) and oxylase-like protein (OLP), which are highly upregulated in the root of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) plantlets under osmotic stress, were analysed in 672 individuals from seven areas of Austria differing in climatic conditions. This revealed significant differences in allele frequencies. Genes that respond to drought stress were also identified in a 2-year glasshouse experiment and microarray analysis, including lipid transfer protein, late embryogenesis abundant 14, early responsive to desiccation 8, auxin responsive factor 16, open stomata 1, beta amylase 3/7, peroxidase 64, germin-like protein 3A and low expression of osmotically responsive genes 1. SNP markers for these genes are under development. Consistency between stress responsive genes identified in the microarray experiment and resequenced oak genes (INRA Pierroton) is currently being evaluated. This data will be used to develop an Illumina-Array for genotyping a large number of individuals at many loci.