ABSTRACT
Genes encoding limonoid UDP-glucosyltransferase from albedo of six Citrus species with different levels of delayed bitterness are isolated and cloned in vector pTZ57R/T. Our results indicate that gene sequence of sweet lime (with intense juice delayed bitterness) have complete identity with Satsuma mandarin (without distinctive juice delayed bitterness). Also gene sequence of Marsh seedless grapefruit, local orange and Thompson navel orange (with mild juice delayed bitterness) have very similarity with Satsuma mandarin. On the other hand, this gene started to express 60, 120, and 210 days after full blooming in albedo of Satsuma mandarin, sweet oranges and sour orange, and both grapefruit and sweet lime, respectively. Expression pattern of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in leaves was quite different with albedo. Thus, we supposed the delayed bitterness in this species was related to delay in expression of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in albedo and lower limonoid glucoside accumulation in fruits.
Subject(s)
Citrus/growth & development , Citrus/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Glucosyltransferases/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Taste , Amino Acid Motifs , Amino Acid Sequence , Beverages , Citrus/enzymology , Glucosyltransferases/classification , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Plant Proteins/classification , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Damask roses (Rosa damascena Mill.) are mainly used for essential oil production. Previous studies have indicated that all production material in Bulgaria and Turkey consists of only one genotype. Nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity of 40 accessions of R. damascena collected across major and minor rose oil production areas in Iran. RESULTS: All microsatellite markers showed a high level of polymorphism (5-15 alleles per microsatellite marker, with an average of 9.11 alleles per locus). Cluster analysis of genetic similarities revealed that these microsatellites identified a total of nine different genotypes. The genotype from Isfahan province, which is the major production area, was by far the most common genotype (27/40 accessions). It was identical to the Bulgarian genotype. Other genotypes (each represented by 1-4 accessions) were collected from minor production areas in several provinces, notably in the mountainous Northwest of Iran. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that uncovered genetic diversity within Damask rose. Our results will guide new collection activities to establish larger collections and manage the Iranian Damask rose genetic resources. The genotypes identified here may be directly useful for breeding.