Detection of hemizygous genome fragment at forms of Boechera holboellii (Brassicaceae family) with seeds-without-sex reproduction

Abstract

Aims. Apomixis is the clonal reproduction of floral plants by seeds without both meiosis and fertilization. Apomixis has great biotechnological benefits in excess of the gain from the “green revolution” Norman Borlaug. Nevertheless the genetic control of apomixis is not clear and speculative till now. The goal of the work was to detect genome loci associated with apomixis. Methods. Whole genome amplification and Southern hybridization were used to detect hemizygous genome fragment associated with apomictic reproduction of Boechera holboellii. Results. The generated molecular markers were used as the hybridization probes. Apo_Isaak_1.2 genomic fragment about 1.2 kb, common to European apomictic plants Boechera holboellii was detected by means of Southern hybridization of apomictic and amphimictic plants DNAs from Dutch and German collections with the probe 4 (SCAR_Isaak_230). Conclusions. Apo_Isaak_1.2 fragment has the molecular size close to is similar in size to the mean plant genes (2–4 kb) and is the hemizygous fragment as the original SCAR_Isaak_230 marker. Our results can be used in genetic engineering of apomixis to create complex forms and heterosis polyploid crops.

Key words: amphimixis, apomixis, Boechera sp., Southern hybridization, hemyzigous.