E. Chevreau

Aligning male and female linkage maps of apple (Malus pumila Mill.) using multi-allelic markers

Abstract Linkage maps for the apple cultivars ‘Prima’ and ‘Fiesta’ were constructed using RFLP, RAPD, isozyme, AFLP, SCAR and microsatellite markers in a ‘Prima’בFiesta’ progeny of 152 individuals. Seventeen linkage groups, putatively corresponding to the seventeen haploid apple chromosomes, were obtained for each parent. These maps were aligned using 67 multi-allelic markers that were heterozygous in both parents. A large number of duplicate RFLP loci was observed and, in several instances, linked RFLP markers in one linkage group showed corresponding linkage in another linkage group. Distorted segregation was observed mainly in two regions of the genome, especially in the male parent alleles. Map positions were provided for resistance genes to scab and rosy leaf curling aphid (Vf and Sd1, respectively) for the fruit acidity gene Ma and for the self-incompatibility locus S. The high marker density and large number of mapped codominant RFLPs and some microsatellite markers make this map an ideal reference map for use in other progenies also and a valuable tool for the mapping of quantitative trait loci.

Adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf tissue of three pear (Pyrus sp.) cultivars in vitro

To develop an adventitious regeneration system for pear cultivars, several experiments were conducted with 2 cultivars of Pyrus communis L. (‘Seckel’ and ‘Louise Bonne’) and one cultivar of P. bretschneideri Rehd. (‘Crystal Pear’). Half-leaves, taken from shoots proliferating on Lepoivre medium, were plated in petri-dishes on medium supplemented with various combinations of cytokinins and auxins. Cultures of the above cultivars had been established from mature trees. Among the growth regulators tested, thidiazuron (TDZ), combined with naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA), was the most efficient for stimulation of adventitious shoots. The optimum level of TDZ was about 3 uM; shoot regeneration was observed over a wide range of TDZ and NAA concentrations (0.5 to 5 uM and 2.5 to 13 um, respectively). Among different macronutrient compositions, 1/2 and 1/4 Murashige and Skoog were the most effective. Sucrose concentrations (10 to 50 g L-1) had a linear significant effect on shoot regeneration of ‘Crystal Pear’.

Strategies to improve plant resistance to bacterial diseases through genetic engineering

Many different genetic strategies have been proposed to engineer plant resistance to bacterial diseases, including producing antibacterial proteins of non-plant origin, inhibiting bacterial pathogenicity or virulence factors, enhancing natural plant defenses and artificially inducing programmed cell death at the site of infection. These are based on our knowledge of the mechanisms of action of antibacterial compounds and of the successive steps in plant-bacterial interactions. This article presents the different approaches and demonstrates that, even though several of these ideas have already been applied, no commercial applications have yet been achieved.

First evidence for improved resistance to fire blight in transgenic pear expressing the attacin E gene from Hyalophora cecropia

Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is the most important bacterial disease of pear (Pyrus communis L.). Attacin E, a lytic protein originating from Hyalophora cecropia, has been previously reported to be active against E. amylovora in transgenic apple. Integration of the attacin E gene under control of a derivative of the constitutive promoter CaMV35S was accomplished using a transformation protocol developed for several pear cultivars. The integration was checked by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 11 lines of the cultivar Passe Crassane. Expression was determined in in vitro plantlets. The differences in transcription levels among lines revealed by comparative reverse transcription PCR correlated very well with the differences in attacin E accumulation observed by Western blot analysis. Fire blight inoculations were performed in vitro on all transgenic lines. A significant reduction of symptoms was observed for six lines, in comparison with the susceptible control Passe Crassane.

EfficientAgrobacterium-mediated transformation and recovery of transgenic plants from pear (Pyrus communis L.).

An efficient and reproducible method was established for genetic transformation of one pear variety (Conferénce) usingAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer. Wounded leaves of in vitro micropropagated plants were cocultivated with the disarmed strain EHA101 harbouring the binary vector pFAJ3000 carrying the chimaericnptII andgus genes. The protocol included a 3–6 month dark period on a regeneration medium solidified with gelrite, which contained 100 mg/l kanamycin. Up to 42% of inoculated leaves produced transformed buds or bud clusters. Expression, presence and integration of transgenes was confirmed by a histochemical test, polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot hybridisation, respectively. The transgenec plants could be successfully acclimatized in the glasshouse. This transformation procedure was also successfully applied to two other pear varieties, namely Doyenné du Cornice and Passe-Crassane, albeit at much lower transformation rates.

A method for isolating total RNA from pear leaves

Isolation of high quality RNA fromRosaceae species is particularly difficult. These plants contain considerable amounts of plant polyphenolic compounds and polysaccharides that copurify with RNA, often rendering it unsuitable for either cDNA synthesis and/or hybridization in northern analyses. We describe a method for RNA isolation from pear leaves that is modified from that of Manning (1990). The procedure includes i) an extraction with phenol and PVPP, to remove proteins and polyphenols ii) two purifications by LiCl, with a 2-butoxyethanol treatment between the LiCl steps. The method results in high quality RNA suitable for RT-PCR and northern blot experiments.

Inheritance of pollen enzymes and polyploid origin of apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.).

SummaryElectrophoresis of 7 pollen enzymes was applied to 5 progenies from controlled crosses and one self-progeny of apple. Segregation data were examined according to three kinds of hypotheses: monogenic disomic, bigenic disomic and tetrasomic inheritance Twenty codominant alleles and a recessive null were identified. Results provided evidence of bigenic disomic inheritance in most cases: 6 pairs of homoeologous loci carrying identical homoeoalleles were revealed; only 2 enzymes exhibited a simple monogenic control. Preferential pairing between pairs of homologous chromosomes in meiosis can be postulated. These results indicated an allopolyploid origin of apple genome. Fixed heterozygosity occurred for several enzymes, which is a typical feature of allopolyploidy. Loss of duplicate gene expression can account for the monogenic control of 2 of the enzymes.

The European apple genome mapping project-developing a strategy for mapping genes-coding for agronomic characters in tree species

SummaryA recently initiated collaborative project involving apple breeders in seven European countries is described. The objective is to improve the European apple crop by molecular-aided breeding to increase efficency and reduce the time-scale in breeding for resistance, tree habit and fruit quality. The strategy adopted provides a model for similar studies in fruit, forest and other woody species. The project is based on progenies from a small number of crosses involving many important agronomic genes. Replication of these reference progenies by vegetative propagation will enable studies to be carried out simultaneously in each country. By developing a range of molecular markers, including isozymes, RFLPs and sequence-tagged DNA probes, an integrated molecular map is being constructed for use in a wide range of breeding and genetic studies. Construction of a database recording many mapped molecular markers will enable efficient exploitation of data in future genetic, breeding and physiological studies of apple. Aspects of the adopted strategy, techniques and management are discussed in the context of mapping genes in perennial crop genomes.

Effect of gelling agents and antibiotics on adventitious bud regeneration from in vitro leaves of pear

SummaryThe effect of the type of gelling agent and of several antibiotics on the adventitious bud regeneration from in vitro leaves was tested on eight pear genotypes. The use of gellan gum (Phytagel™) in the medium instead of agar had a very strong positive effect on the rate of adventitious bud regeneration for all pear genotypes tested in this study. This gelling agent induced faster cell divisions than agar, thus more callus was produced on wound sites and subsequently more buds regenerated. Incubation on gellan gum medium during the first 20 d of bud induction was sufficient to induce a stimulatory effect on regeneration and limited the production of hyperhydric buds. In the prospect of Agrobacterium transformation, the effect of several antibiotics was tested. Cefotaxime (200 mg/l) plus ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (100 mg/l) could be used in the culture medium without affecting the frequency of bud regeneration. The inhibition of bud regeneration was obtained with different kanamycin concentrations according to the gelling agent in the medium. On gellan gum medium, a concentration of 100 mg/l of kanamycin was suitable. These conditions can be recommended for experiments on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of pear, where bacterial inoculation and presence of antibiotics generally reduce and delay bud regeneration.

The pattern of inheritance in apple (Malus X domestica Borkh.): further results from leaf isozyme analysis

SummaryEight progenies from controlled crosses and one self-progeny of apple were analysed by electrophoresis for six leaf enzymes. Based on a polyploid origin for this species, three hypotheses were tested: monogenie disomic, bigenic disomic and tetrasomic inheritance. Three enzymes exhibited monogenic inheritance; two exhibited bigenic disomic inheritance specified by two homoeologous genes; and one exhibited bigenic disomic inheritance due to two linked genes. In all cases tetrasomic inheritance was disproved. These results agreed with previous data obtained from pollen isozyme analysis. They indicated a probable allopolyploid origin of the apple genome and the loss of duplicated gene expression in some cases.