RNA-Seq-based DNA marker analysis of the genetics and molecular evolution of Triticeae species

Abstract

The release of high-quality chromosome-level genome sequences of members of the Triticeae tribe has greatly facilitated genetic and genomic analyses of important crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare). Due to the large diploid genome size of Triticeae plants (ca.5 Gbp), transcript analysis is an important method for identifying genetic and genomic differences among Triticeae species. In this review, we summarize our results of RNA-Seq analyses of diploid wheat accessions belonging to the genera Aegilops and Triticum. We also describe studies of the molecular relationships among these accessions and provide insight into the evolution of common hexaploid wheat. DNA markers based on polymorphisms within species can be used to map loci of interest. Even though the genome sequence of diploid Ae. tauschii, the D-genome donor of common wheat, has been released, the diploid barley genome continues to provide key information about the physical structures of diploid wheat genomes. We describe how a series of RNA-Seq analyses of wheat relatives has helped uncover the structural and evolutionary features of genomic and genetic systems in wild and cultivated Triticeae species.

TriticeaeSSRdb: a comprehensive database of simple sequence repeats in Triticeae

“…The Triticeae tribe, a member of the Poaceae grass family’s subfamily Pooideae , encompasses a total of 503 diploid and polyploid species distributed among 27 genera ( Soreng et al, 2015 ). This tribe includes economically significant cereal crops, such as bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), barley ( Hordeum vulgare ), and rye ( Secale cereale ), along with their wild relatives ( Sato et al., 2021 ). Since the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution, these crops have played essential roles in human sustenance and global food security ( Li et al., 2023 ).…”

“…their wild relatives (Sato et al, 2021). Since the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution, these crops have played essential roles in human sustenance and global food security (Li et al, 2023).…”