Identification and characterization of novel sex-determining gene candidates for sex-determining genes in Asparagus officinalis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15827
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39030:Horticultural science-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Tsugama Daisuke 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 准教授 (10726061)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: アスパラガス / 雌雄性 / 遺伝子 / 転写因子 / ゲノム / シロイヌナズナ / 生殖 / 花粉

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Garden asparagus dioecy is regulated by a small number of genes. AoMYB35 is a strong candidate for such a gene. We have an autogamous garden asparagus line. Using them, this study aimed to identify novel candidates for such genes. DNA affinity purification sequencing with AoMYB35 and AtMYB35, which is a close AoMYB35 homolog in Arabidopsis thaliana and which is indispensable for pollen maturation, showed that AoMYB35-bound and AtMYB35-bound DNA sequences differ from each other. On the basis of this analysis, several Arabidopsis mutants were selected for phenotyping. Of these mutants, one showed male-sterile phenotype and another showed a female-semi-sterile phenotype. Transcriptomes of pistils and stamens of the autogamous garden asparagus line were analyzed. Revising data from previous studies led to identification of two male-specific genes in garden asparagus. The information from this study can help better characterize the garden asparagus dioecy.

Free Research Field

園芸学・育種学・分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

AoMYB35が結合するDNA配列とAtMYB35結合配列が互いに異なることは事前の予想に反しており、食用アスパラガスの雌雄異株性の進化を考える上で興味深いと考えている。本研究で単離したシロイヌナズナの半不稔変異体からは新規の植物生殖制御遺伝子が単離できる可能性があり、これは作物等有用植物の生殖様式の制御・改変にも利用できる可能性がある。本研究で得た2個の食用アスパラガス雄株特異的遺伝子の機能は、それらの配列から推定することは困難であり、今後解析を行い明らかにする必要があるが、これは学術的に興味深く、食用アスパラガスの雌雄性を理解し制御することにも役立つ可能性がある。