Elucidation of the molecular basis of sex determination in Diospyros species by means of NGS technologies

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26660025
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Horticultural science
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Tao Ryutaro 京都大学, 農学研究科, 教授 (10211997)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 果樹 / 果樹ゲノム / 雌雄異株性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A combination of NGS technologies and evolutionary approaches detected a Y-specific sex-determinant candidate small RNA gene, OGI targeting the autosomal MeGI gene in Diospyros lotus. Then, the molecular basis underlying sex determination in polyploid D. kaki was investigated. OGI appeared to be indispensable for the monoecious phenotype producing male flowers in D. kaki, as in dioecious diploid D. lotus. However, the existence of OGI alleles did not always lead to production of male flowers. A series of NGS analyses indicated that there is an additional layer of regulation in the form of DNA methylation of the MeGI promoter, which seemed to be associated with the production of both male and female flowers in genetically male trees in D. kaki. Concurrently, in Y-chromosome-carrying trees, the expression of OGI is silenced by the presence of a SINE-like insertion in the OGI promoter.

Free Research Field

果樹園芸学