A. Veres

Differentiation of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) conculta members based on molecular tools

Twenty-seven grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties within 12 putative berry colour variation groups (conculta) were genotyped with 14 highly polymorphic microsatellite (simple sequence repeats (SSR)) markers. Three additional oligonucleotide primers were applied for the detection of the Gret1 retroelement insertion in the promoter region of VvMybA1 transcription factor gene regulating the UFGT (UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase) activity. UFGT is the key enzyme of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. SSR results proved that the analysed cultivars can be grouped only into nine concultas, the other three putative berry colour variant groups consist of homonyms as a consequence of misnaming. In the case of Sárfehér-Sárpiros, Delaware red-Delaware white and Járdovány fekete-Járdovány fehér, it was attested that they are not bud sports, but homonyms. Some conculta members could be differentiated according to the presence or the absence of the Gret1 retroelement (Chasselas, Furmint and Lisztes), while others, Bajor, Bakator, Gohér and Traminer conculta members, remained indistinguishable either by the microsatellites or the Gret1-based method.

Characteristics and regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in pepper - review

Pepper is an important horticultural crop due to its culinary as well as ornamental applications. Some Capsicum varieties build up anthocyanins in their different organs. The biosynthesis of these pigments – beside genetic determinism – depends on diverse factors such as the environment, developmental stage and type of tissue. Though anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway has been first described in the 1800s and from then on it has been well established even in species belonging to Solenaceae , information on the pathway is scarce in case of Capsicum spp. This review comprises the current knowledge on the biochemistry and molecular biology of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway.

Preliminary results of SSR based characterization of sour (Prunus cerasus L.) and sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) genotypes cultivated in Hungary

Cherry cultivation in the Carpathian basin area began more than 100.000 years ago. Adapting to the basin specific ecological conditions resulted in high degree of genetic variability among the cherry cultivars. The SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers allow the discrimination of the cultivars and determination their specific DNA fingerprints. Due to the high degree of polymorphism of microsatellite markers, generally only six SSR loci are enough to differentiate the varieties. Microsatellite markers are used not only for cultivar identification but also for the verification of synonyms and homonyms. Owing to their locus specificity and Mendelian codominant inheritance, parentage can be clearly identified, primary and secondary relationships between the cultivars can be discovered. The aim of this research was to characterize 29 sour cherry ( Prunus cerasus L.), and 38 sweet cherry (Prunus avium L. ) genotypes cultivated in Hungary to establish their DNA fingerprints in 6 SSR loci by allele numbers and sizes.